Nigel and the Moon
Written by Antwan Eady
Katherine Tegen Books (February 15, 2022)
When Nigel looks up at the moon, his future is bright. He imagines himself as…an astronaut, a dancer, a superhero, too!
Among the stars, he twirls. With pride, his chest swells. And his eyes, they glow. Nigel is the most brilliant body in the sky.
But it’s Career Week at school, and Nigel can’t find the courage to share his dreams. It’s easy to whisper them to the moon, but not to his classmates—especially when he already feels out of place.
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * Kids' Indie Next List Pick * A SLJ Best Book of 2022
“This story radiates a quiet power. Poetic language paired with bold brushstrokes reveals the magic of the night sky. Nothing is more empowering to children than loving adults telling them to ‘dream big’ and ‘be proud of who you are.’ [A] stirring tale of self-acceptance and parental support.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
"Hitting notes of hope, fear, love, and pride while subtly tackling themes of class, gender expectations, and race, Eady’s debut is matched beat for layered beat by Zhang’s (Lala’s Words) fluid ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations, which depict Nigel as small but trusting against a looming, ponderous moon. A loving exhortation to 'Dream big... And be proud of who you are.'" — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“This book will make you tear up. It is a must-read for every person that has ever held dreams close to their hearts, whispered them to the sky, or lived to make them real.” — Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
"This book made my heart swell to the size of the moon. Nigel and the Moon is destined to become a classic that will inspire generations of readers to find the beauty in their day-to-day lives while also looking to the skies to dream big." — Minh Lê, author of Drawn Together and Lift
"A beautiful book. Eady’s sensitive text and Zhang’s gorgeous pictures combine in a story that conveys the richness of children’s daily lives and the cosmic splendor of their imaginations." — Mac Barnett, New York Times Bestsellingauthor of The Extra Yarn
“Nigel is today’s Peter from The Snowy Day—this book will surely be an instant classic. I’m pleased to have met Nigel through his story, and I know that every kid with “dreams so bright” will be inspired to share their dreams with the world, too.” — Don Tate, author-illustrator of William Still and His Freedom Stories
“Listeners…will empathize with the challenges that can make a school week drag out, and youngsters will also realize that Zhang’s luminous moon is just a window away, willing to share confidences.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for the Nigel and the Moon audiobook: "This heartwarming story of authenticity shows children it is ok to share their truths aloud during the day or whisper them to the moon at night. Beautifully narrated." — Booklist
