History of children's literature: Many Moons

Thurber, J. (1943) Many moons. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co.

Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin, this book is the Caldecott medal winner for the year 1944. 

From Horn Book Magazine: 

"Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin. A charming picture book about an imperious ten-year-old princess who wanted the moon, and what her father did to get it for her. The Lord High Chamberlain, the Royal Wizard, the Royal Mathematician were all called upon in vain, and at last it was the Royal Jester who helped the princess find her own answer to the troublesome demand. Louis Slobodkin’s many lovely pictures have an important share in making a distinguished book of this amusing fairy tale — the first book James Thurber has written for children. Reviewed in the September 1943 issue of The Horn Book Magazine. Retrieved from the Horn Book Website 9/25/2017. 

School Library Journal review of a later edition:

"PreSchool-Grade 3-- Although the Caldecott-winning edition illustrated by Louis Slobodkin (HBJ, 1943) is the one that many parents and librarians grew up with, this new full-color version by Simont has a charm of its own. His illustrations are more modern in appearance... Backgrounds are generally sketchy, giving the characters center stage. The clever Jester, dressed in fool's motley, is still the only one of the King's advisors who has the sense to ask Princess Lenore just what she expects when she asks for the moon. The pompous Lord High Chamberlain, the skatty Wizard, and the absent-minded Mathematician are as helpless as ever, and the little princess with her common sense and gap-toothed smile is charming. This will delight a whole new generation of children. --Rosanne Cerny, Queens Borough Public Library, NY Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. (This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.)" -retrieved 9/25/2017 from Amazon.com

I am adding this book to my collection for 3rd-5th grade. Although this book is recommended by School library journal for preschool-3rd grade, I believe older kids will enjoy this book. Accelerated Reader system rates the book at grade level 4.5. At 47 pages it is longer than most picture books, and features 2-3 weighty paragraphs per page. I have found a great science lesson tie-in for this book for third graders here: Lesson plan. This linked lesson plan ties into third grade English language arts standards for the state of Utah.

This book is also a great introduction or accompaniment to other fantastic Thurber readings like Thirteen Clocks, The Tiger who would be King, and in later grades The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.The humor will endear this tale to 3rd through 5th graders. As a Caldecott medal winner enthusiast i have to say that I would only recommend versions illustrated by Louis Slobodkin. 

Keywords: Princess, Moon, Jester, King