How the Moon Regained Her Shape

How the Moon Regained Her Shape is a metaphorical story about overcoming bullying. It is the story of how the once brilliant moon is bullied by the mean-spirited sun and becomes sullen and unable to dance across the sky. A comet, a positive warrior figure, embraces the moon and takes her to a healing woman who teaches her how to overcome the sun’s harsh words with caring friends and inner strength. The book is written like Native American folklore with attractive, southwestern themed illustrations.

Writer Janet Ruth Heller draws from her background in Women’s Studies and literature in crafting this book. How the Moon Regained Her Shape is a modern-day parable with the feel of an ancient folktale. The book includes activities to explore the moon phases and the Native American names for various full moons throughout the year. The publisher’s website includes helpful pre-reading and post-reading activities, word games, and more supplemental materials.

Not many books send me scurrying for a cup of tea and a quiet reading nook, but this one did. I kept going back to it just to look at the pictures and let the rhythm of the words sink in. It has a very soothing feel and a meaningful message. I think this book could be helpful to children coping with bullying or as part of a therapeutic bullying prevention, intervention, or recovery program.

Students with learning disabilities are often targeted by bullies, and this book can be helpful in teaching them how to overcome the damaging effects of bullying through inner strength.

Passages are short with more narrative than dialog, which often helps children with learning disabilities in basic reading to follow the action and understand the story.

The book includes optional instructional activities teaching moon phases, the lunar calendar, traditional Native American names for the full moons, and a moon cycle craft. These activities can be especially helpful for parents and therapists helping tweens and teens, who are often more comfortable willing to explore emotional issues while engaged in hands-on activities as opposed to direct discussion.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.