Nigel and the Moon
by Antwan Eady
When Nigel looks up at the moon he imagines himself as an astronaut a dancer and a superhero. 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.
Reading Tips for Story Explorers
Find a comfortable space to read together
Slow down and enjoy the illustrations
Ask and answer questions together
Make reading part of your routine - bedtime is a great time for reading
Use these prompts to encourage deeper thinking with your children:
"Tell me more, why do you think that?"
"How do you know that?"
"Interesting, did you notice anything else?"
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The last word in the title has two /o/s. These two letters together say the sound /o͞o/. Let’s say that sound together: /o͞o/, /o͞o/, /o͞o/. Point to these letters in the title. Brainstorm other words that have the sound /o͞o/ with your child (school, food, swoop).
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
Pride: A feeling of happiness that you have done something well
Career: A job someone does for a long time
Distance: How far apart two things are
Quiver: TO shake when you are nervous or scared
Shrink: To become smaller
Swell: To become bigger
Questions to Discuss
What does Nigel want to be when he grows up? How does he feel when prompted to share these dreams with his class?
How does Nigel change throughout the story?
Why does Nigel have a shy smile on his face when his parents come to school?
What are Nigel’s parents’ jobs? Why are these jobs important in our community?
Let's Play
In Nigel and the Moon, Nigel is scared to tell his dreams to other people, but finds it easy to tell them to the moon. With your child, draw or print some stars on paper. Ask your child, “What are some things you dream of being when you grow up?” Assist children to write their dream on a star and let them color or decorate their paper. Cut out the stars and help children tape theirs on a wall.
