Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon

Written by: Daniel, Danielle
Illustrated by: Daniel, Danielle
ages 4 to 7 / grades K to 2
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A book that will inspire readers to connect more deeply with the natural world, from the award winning author of Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox.

Inspired by the expression “once in a blue moon,” Danielle Daniel has created a book of short poems, each one describing a rare or special experience that turns an ordinary day into a memorable one. She describes the thrill of seeing a double rainbow, the Northern Lights or a shooting star as well as quieter pleasures such as spotting a turtle basking in the sun or a family of ducks waddling across the road.

In accessible language and delightful, naïve images, Once in a Blue Moon celebrates the magical moments that can be found in the beauty and wonders of nature.

With the same simple yet sophisticated design as Danielle’s award-winning picture book Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox, this book is a very accessible and inviting introduction to poetry for young readers.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.5
Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4
Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)

A book that will inspire readers to connect more deeply with the natural world, from the award winning author of Sometimes I Feel Like A Fox.

Inspired by the expression “once in a blue moon,” Danielle Daniel has created a book of short poems, each one describing a rare or special experience that turns an ordinary day into a memorable one. She describes the thrill of seeing a double rainbow, the Northern Lights or a shooting star as well as quieter pleasures such as spotting a turtle basking in the sun or a family of ducks waddling across the road.

In accessible language and delightful, naïve images, Once in a Blue Moon celebrates the magical moments that can be found in the beauty and wonders of nature.

With the same simple yet sophisticated design as Danielle’s award-winning picture book Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox, this book is a very accessible and inviting introduction to poetry for young readers.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.5
Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7
With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4
Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting)

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Oct 1, 2017
Specifications 56 pages | 8.5 in x 8.5 in 32 pages | 8.5 in x 8.5 in
Written By

DANIELLE DANIEL is an award-winning author and illustrator whose journey into artmaking and book publishing has gone hand in hand with all she has learned — and continues to learn — about her Indigenous ancestry and her relationship with the land. Danielle’s picture books include Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox (winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and a Best 100 title at the New York Public Library) and Once in a Blue Moon. She has also illustrated You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith. She is the author of two novels — Forever Birchwood for middle-grade readers and Daughters of the Deer for adults. Danielle holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and lives in Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island) with her family.
Illustrated by

DANIELLE DANIEL is an award-winning author and illustrator whose journey into artmaking and book publishing has gone hand in hand with all she has learned — and continues to learn — about her Indigenous ancestry and her relationship with the land. Danielle’s picture books include Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox (winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and a Best 100 title at the New York Public Library) and Once in a Blue Moon. She has also illustrated You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith. She is the author of two novels — Forever Birchwood for middle-grade readers and Daughters of the Deer for adults. Danielle holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia and lives in Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island) with her family.

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Praise for Danielle Daniel and Once in a Blue Moon:

“Daniel has enabled a full deep breath on every page of this gentle, relaxing book, which engages without overloading and lends a specialness to things too easy to miss in the natural world.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Like the rarities it celebrates, Once in a Blue Moon shines light on nature's wonders.” — CanLit for Little Canadians

“The overriding message is a worthy one – remember to notice the simple wonders that happen around us every day and regard them with the reverence they deserve.” — Youth Services Book Review

Praise for Danielle Daniel and Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox:

Winner Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award

Selected New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Nominee Ontario Library Association / Forest of Reading — Blue Spruce Award

“Reminds readers of the importance of critical self-reflection and of our connection to the animal world — two ideas worth championing at any age.” — Quill & Quire, starred review

“This book will fascinate children expanding their horizons and learning about other cultures (or, in the case of Anishinaabe kids, their own).” — Kirkus Reviews

“The stylized masks, soft colours and big eyes of the children convey a seriousness, almost an otherworldliness, to the animal/human relationship.… Haunting and thought-provoking.” — Toronto Star

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