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Review by Armchair Interviewshttp://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/moonlight-travelers Mr. Lopps has been sick – and now he has disappeared. His friends, Pig Girl, Buckminster, and Baby, decide to go look for him. Buckminster lives with someone who builds things, so he builds a flying machine so they can go out looking for Mr. Lopps. The next night, Baby flies the plane while Pig Girl and Buckminster ride along. They can't find Mr. Lopps anywhere until they meet the Old One who guides them to a beautiful valley – but they can only visit for a moment. There they find Mr. Lopps. Mr. Lopps promises that he loves his new home and his new friends, but reminds his old friends that he is only a memory away. Moonlight Travelers was inspired when someone close to Hugh Plant lost their pet rabbit. He wanted to create a safe and beautiful place where animals go when they leave us. It is a beautiful story, and my six year old enjoyed hearing it. My two year old couldn't keep still long enough for it, so I'm guessing this book is geared more for early elementary age children. If you or someone close to you recently lost a pet, or if you expect to, then make sure you pick up Moonlight Travelers. It is sure to be a comfort for children as they struggle with the loss of their pet. Might even help with the loss of family members or friends too. Armchair Interviews says: Nice way to help children grieve. From our armchair to yours... Review from TCM Reviewshttp://tcm-ca.com/reviews/2226.html Hugh Plant saw a need for a children's book that would help youngsters and their parents deal with the death of a pet. With the capable assistance of Sarah Nygaard, he created one that not only has a delightful story, but gets the intended message across very nicely. When Mr. Lopps goes missing, Pig Girl and Buckminster, pets of children nicknamed the Music Man and the Maker of Things, enlist the aid of a stuffed toy named Baby who comes alive at night. The trio build a flying machine which Baby pilots when they embark on a search through the night skies to find Mr. Lopps. This is a story that could easily have been written in a way that would have failed to engage a young child's imagination. However, the story succeeds beautifully and is further enhanced by the soft and lush illustrations. Parents and children will enjoy the story and those grieving the loss of a pet can easily take comfort from this tale. It will be a great addition to both public and school libraries as well as a good gift choice for youngsters with pets. Review from Midwest Book Reviewhttp://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/sep_07.htm#pict Moonlight Travelers is a children's picturebook about a little pet guinea pig, called Pig Girl, who sneaks out at night to visit her friends. Together, she makes plans with fellow guinea pig Buckminster and a stuffed bear called Baby to put together a grand flying machine and visit a lifelong friend, the rabbit Mr. Lopps, who is around no more. After a long journey, with guidance from a wise owl, they at last have the opportunity to meet their missing friend. "'How did you get to this place?' asked Baby. 'I'm not sure,' said Mr. Lopps. 'I don't remember much about my last night at my old home. I was very, very ill and stopped breathing. Then Old One appeared and brought me to this beautiful valley. I have a nice new home, have met some new friends and I am happy. In this place everything the same is before, yet everything is different.'" A kindly and gentle introduction for young people, about learning to accept the passing on of loved ones, and to acknowledge one of life's greatest mysteries. Highly recommended. |
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