Clever Carl and Moon's Daughter

Caroline M. Hallsworth is a librarian at Cambrian College in Sudbury.

Mother Moon has two daughters, Lara and Lucy, who grow up to be the sun
and the moon, respectively. Lucy collides with a rocket, which sends her
tumbling to earth. On earth, she is rescued by Clever Carl Coyote who,
after talking to Mother Moon, helps Lucy to recognize her own special
powers and abilities. Using these insights, Lucy discovers how to get
back to her home in the sky.

This modern tale combines a traditional-style fable, which explains the
coyote’s fascination with the moon, with contemporary themes such as
environmental awareness, the role of hunting in nature, and the
responsibility of individuals to care for those less fortunate than
themselves. The story is well told with a simple structure and language.
The artwork is interesting but unfortunately suffers from being
reproduced in black and white, when the text describes colors and
suggests that there could be more verve in the illustrations.

Nonetheless, author and illustrator Kathy Seaboyer is to be commended
for her first effort, as is her publisher Lancelot Press; they have
produced a charming book, especially for those interested in
environmental harmony. Recommended.