Full Moon is Rising, A
1 Paperback/1 CD (see all formats)

"This enjoyable read-along presentation of 17 original poems illustrates the moon’s fascination for many cultures over the ages. Each poem contains its own bit of allure, creatively explored by talented narrators. The din of traffic in a busy city accompanies Barbara Rosenblat’s deep-voiced reading of “Broadway Moon.” In “High Tide,” Oliva DuFord portrays a child’s wonder at the Bay of Fundy, as huge amounts of water splash and surge in the background. Each poem’s reader assumes an appropriate accent, and various background music and sounds (e.g., bleating goats and beating drums in Mali, the ringing of Chinese gongs, laughing children in Australia, howling wolves in North America) represent a geographical region. When James Lurie reads “Thinking about Phobos,” surreal electronic music connotes an extraterrestrial humming. Information and beliefs about the moon conclude the accompanying book, making this a particularly innovative way to study the moon and its significance."

"A chorus of voices narrates 17 free-verse poems, the numerous accents of the multi-cast of narrators reflecting Singer’s global poetry (Lee & Low, 2011) celebrating humanity’s universal fascination with the moon. Each poem is a unique production, with distinctive voices, music, and sound effects, conjuring an overarching impression of the culture portrayed. A standout track is “Lunar Eclipse,” which represents an eclipse celebration in a Malian village. The poem’s production is multilayered, with chanting voices of children and a cacophony of banging drums supporting the impassioned recitation by Dion Graham. Among the other countries and cultures featured in the poems are New York City, Israel, South Africa, Australia, China, Mexico, Canada, Turkey, and more. End notes about the poems are also read aloud by the performers, and include fascinating facts about science, culture, and mythology. Students should follow along in the book so that they can peruse Julia Cairns beautiful, bright watercolor illustrations. Endpapers are a map of the world with the locations that inspired the poems indicated. A stirring poetic journey around the globe."

"Without a doubt, the moon is a subject of fascination for people all over the world. This collection of poems celebrates the full moon, starting in New York City and traveling to locations ranging from the Bay of Fundy to Israel, Hong Kong, and the International Space Station. Each of the many narrators brings a fresh delivery and a voice reflective of the setting of each poem. Enunciated words, studied phrasing, and relaxed pacing all contribute to appreciating the beauty of the moon. Complementary background music adds to the serenity of the listening experience. The production includes facts about the moon's phases and background information on each of the poems."