When Moon Blooms (My Living World #1)

In this lilting kickoff to the My Living World board book series, Salazar (Jovita Wore Pants) delivers a cycle-oriented bedtime story informed by Mexican Indigenous wisdom. When young Cielito spots the moon, Mami teaches the child “what our ancestors told me” by way of explaining the changing orb’s influence (“She affects every natural thing: water and plantas, and animals like you and me”). Focusing on each lunar phase, affectionate English text interspersed with italicized Spanish explains which stage works best for setting intentions, growing, celebrating, and resting. During a new moon, for example, “It’s time to go inside,/ your body soft and mellow,/ and imagine your sweetest wishes.” And when the moon waxes (“her sparkly head/ peeking out from beneath/ her shadowy blanket”), “It’s time to grow,/ and work hard to make/ your wishes, tus deseos, awaken.” Benavides (The Extraordinary Book that Makes You Feel Happy) visualizes a loving familial relationship against a dynamic cerulean night sky as the child uses their newfound knowledge to engage with another natural progression: that of growing a plant from seed. Stylized animals appear in the sky almost like constellations, where they too act according to each phase. Warm and fluidly told, it’s a lovely starting point for discussions about the natural world. Ages 2–4. Author’s agent: Marietta Zacker, Gallt and Zacker Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Karen Kaller, IllustrationX. (Feb.)