Once in a Blue Moon

K-Gr 2—Daniel, from the Métis nation, brings to the fore special "once in a blue moon" occurrences in this nature-focused volume. Double rainbows, four-leaf clovers, and the Northern Lights are among the truly rare sights portrayed. Others are more common, depending on where you live—like noticing "spotted ladybugs resting on the leaves," or observing "a hundred fireflies blinking their bright lights." The possibility of a whale rising above the surface of the water next to one's boat will delight listeners and they'll long for the chance to see such a thing themselves. The title phrase repeats in a lulling fashion, making this an appropriate bedtime choice. Implicit in the text is the gentle reminder that to witness such things, children must take the time to look. Daniel's stylized illustrations, rendered in acrylic gouache and pencil, lack the Shannon-esque feel of her first title, Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox. Occasionally, the horizons feel too solid and severe, especially when she places one of the children and several trees directly on that line. But there are still some stunning images, including one of a butterfly alighting on a girl's nose.