The Radical Woman Behind “Goodnight Moon”(newyorker.com)
newyorker.com
The Radical Woman Behind “Goodnight Moon”
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/02/07/the-radical-woman-behind-goodnight-moon
68 comments
One thing I've noticed as a parent is that there's a very clear delineation between children's books written for the love of children, and children's books written for a) $, b) as PR for the [often celebrity] author, and c) as political statement (or about a politicized situation/event). It's unfortunate there aren't universally acknowledged sub-genres of children's books, as there are for YA & adults. Every once in a while you'll stumble upon a gem, but almost universally the stories kids want to hear on repeat are simple, imaginative and relatable - just like Goodnight Moon.
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>What a strangely beautiful bit of absurdism in a children’s book!
I doubt that very many in the book's audience have been able to appreciate it as such. Instead, it seems prone to plant in the listener the seed of imprecise logocentric thinking. The phrase reminds me of "The nothing itself nothings", a non-ironic statement, whose ilk I had thought we had left behind in a previous generation.
I doubt that very many in the book's audience have been able to appreciate it as such. Instead, it seems prone to plant in the listener the seed of imprecise logocentric thinking. The phrase reminds me of "The nothing itself nothings", a non-ironic statement, whose ilk I had thought we had left behind in a previous generation.
It's a joke, and was readily appreciated as such by both my kids. There's a sequence of things to which you are saying "goodnight", and to include "nobody" and "air" in that list is unexpected, funny and thought provoking to a small child.
"The nothing itself nothings" is Heidegger, and while I agree metaphysics often amounts to thinking far more deeply about meaningless quirks of language than they deserve I don't see the relevance to a book for preschool children. Do you see all absurdist linguistic humour as "imprecise logocentric thinking"?
"The nothing itself nothings" is Heidegger, and while I agree metaphysics often amounts to thinking far more deeply about meaningless quirks of language than they deserve I don't see the relevance to a book for preschool children. Do you see all absurdist linguistic humour as "imprecise logocentric thinking"?
Kids who are learning language love playing with language, and find things that don't make sense hilarious. That's why "Dad jokes" are what they are.
Children especially at a couple years old have terrific memories and a lot of time where it's dark, they're expected to fall asleep, and they are not actually asleep. Goodnight Moon gives them lots of things to think about in that context.
The dreamy illustrations really stuck with me, and comforted me.
I agree, there are some really nice choices made by Clement Hurd in the illustrations that enrich the text, the starkest one being that despite the relatively high vantage point of the viewer, as determined by the room's perspective, there is no horizon line, trees, or buildings shown outside the windows. Our awake mind is represented by what is inside the room, I feel like that choice to limit outside distraction mirrors the process of falling asleep.
99PI episode here from 2020: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/goodnight-nobody/
I didn’t understand the appeal of the book as it seems like any other book (why is there an old rabbit chilling out in the room until the rabbit falls asleep?), until the above episode pointed out that there was simply no books like that before.
I didn’t understand the appeal of the book as it seems like any other book (why is there an old rabbit chilling out in the room until the rabbit falls asleep?), until the above episode pointed out that there was simply no books like that before.
Goodnight Moon is a fascinating book. My older child had noticed a few details which I hadn't:
1. The clocks are actually showing the appropriate time as it gets later in the evening.
2. There is a picture, on the wall, of a rabbit fishing, trying to catch a smaller rabbit, using a carrot as a lure. I surely didn't expect the "Why is the rabbit trying to catch the other rabbit. Rabbits don't eat other rabbits, do they?" question.
3. The book on the nightstand is actually the "Goodnight Moon" book itself.
4. There is slightly less "mush" in the bowl after the mouse eats it.
1. The clocks are actually showing the appropriate time as it gets later in the evening.
2. There is a picture, on the wall, of a rabbit fishing, trying to catch a smaller rabbit, using a carrot as a lure. I surely didn't expect the "Why is the rabbit trying to catch the other rabbit. Rabbits don't eat other rabbits, do they?" question.
3. The book on the nightstand is actually the "Goodnight Moon" book itself.
4. There is slightly less "mush" in the bowl after the mouse eats it.
I am pretty sure the rabbit fishing is a reference to "The Runaway Bunny", another one of her books.
Oh, that makes sense. Mystery solved. That makes it a bit less creepy.
That’s correct. It’s an image from “The Runaway Bunny”. The story has the baby rabbit changing shape to get away from the mother, and the mother changing shape to attract/get the baby rabbit. It sounds a bit violent in description, but it’s not when you read it.
So for example the baby turns to a fish, and the mother starts fishing; or —- and this captures the spirit better —- the baby to a climber and the mother to a mountain.
So for example the baby turns to a fish, and the mother starts fishing; or —- and this captures the spirit better —- the baby to a climber and the mother to a mountain.
My favorite pages were when the baby turned to a bird to fly away, and the parent became the tree the bird comes home to, and when the baby became a sailboat, and the parent became the wind that blows the boat where it needs to go. Not violent at all!
When you describe that way it actually echoes actual parenting — trying to encourage autonomy while still guiding the child.
This post made me look through the pages of Goodnight Moon, and I noticed that on top of the bookshelf on the left side of the room is a book titled The Runaway Bunny. All of the other books on the shelf have scribbled lines on their covers.
Another somewhat interesting find is that on the nightstand next to the bed sits another book with a discernible title: Goodnight Moon.
Another somewhat interesting find is that on the nightstand next to the bed sits another book with a discernible title: Goodnight Moon.
Finding the mouse in each picture of the room is a fun game
As an author, voice actor, and the dad of a three-year-old, there is something about "Goodnight Moon" that is a pleasure to read aloud. The pacing is excellent, the syllables deftly selected. My favorite passage is at the end: "Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere." There is something satisfying in the cadence of the words. It's difficult to articulate why this is.
Similarly satisfying kids' books: "Tomorrow Most Likely", and "All the World."
Similarly satisfying kids' books: "Tomorrow Most Likely", and "All the World."
“Blue Hat, Green Hat” has been a hit with my kids when they were around 2-3.
Every time I would say ‘Oops’ while they were on my lap, I would jump my knee up a bit and they would laugh hysterically.
Every time I would say ‘Oops’ while they were on my lap, I would jump my knee up a bit and they would laugh hysterically.
The illustrations by Clement Hurd are delightful too. I particularly enjoy the small elements of continuity — the mouse that makes repeated appearances, the book sitting on the nightstand, and the sense of passing time conveyed by the clocks and the moon in the window.
My favorite thing to do with the kids while reading the book was to have them find the mouse on each page. Each time I read the book I discovered something else interesting--even after dozens of readings. I do wonder how many of those elements were devised by the author versus the illustrator. Bravo to both of them.
In terms of continuity I'm always a little surprised that the mittens on the drying rack are sometimes alone, and sometimes with socks/similar.
Also, the painting of bears sitting on chairs itself has a painting of the cow jumping over the moon.
Her most satisfying book to read out loud is "The Little Island". If you liked "Goodnight Moon" then you'll find this to be an absolute treat. It's also a somewhat odd story, but it's the book that I enjoyed reading to my son the most.
BTW, the book that I disliked reading the most was "The Little Engine That Could". It felt jarring to read -- like I never could quite catch my breath or my rhythm.
BTW, the book that I disliked reading the most was "The Little Engine That Could". It felt jarring to read -- like I never could quite catch my breath or my rhythm.
Thanks for the tip! I shall seek it out.
I have not read this book, but the line you reference seems like fairly standard poetry to me. Is that what it reminds you of? Or something else altogether?
That line feels like an Edgar Allen Poe or Beethoven cadence. It goes up and down in perfect step. Just reading it I feel like I'm in motion.
Regarding Poe, specifically "The Bells", since many associate him solely with psychological horror or early mysteries and this is a departure from that:
https://poets.org/poem/bells
https://poets.org/poem/bells
Every parent looks back on the books they read to their little ones. But it's not so much the books themselves that are so special, but those irreplaceable and so-brief years where you had a baby, then a toddler, to read bedtime books to.
It doesn't have to stop! We have been reading Lord of the Rings to my 8 and 10 year old before bed for months now. We read for 10-15 minutes, then they read their own books for a while. They still love the time together. Our 12 year old is definitely too cool for it now, though :-).
I agree otherwise. We've got a nice little library of children's books, and no one to read them to now. I still recite Goodnight Moon and Very Hungry Caterpillar from memory from time to time, like when we start reading LoTR. "So, last time Merry and Pippen had been captured by orcs... 'In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf'" always gets a laugh.
I agree otherwise. We've got a nice little library of children's books, and no one to read them to now. I still recite Goodnight Moon and Very Hungry Caterpillar from memory from time to time, like when we start reading LoTR. "So, last time Merry and Pippen had been captured by orcs... 'In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf'" always gets a laugh.
I have many happy memories of my Dad reading LOTR to me at about that age. Bedtime stories are awesome.
Now I read for my wife sometimes, before we fall asleep. Technical books are great.
Now I read for my wife sometimes, before we fall asleep. Technical books are great.
> Studying the opinions and physical responses that her stories elicited made her feel like a literary detective; she called the exercise chasing “leads.” She later declared that children were the true authors of many of her books: she was “merely an ear and a pen.”
This was the most fascinating detail to me about Brown’s writing process. She was essentially doing “user testing” with her drafts — observing how children responded to see what worked and what didn’t.
This was the most fascinating detail to me about Brown’s writing process. She was essentially doing “user testing” with her drafts — observing how children responded to see what worked and what didn’t.
This was one of my favorite books to read to both my children. Others have touched on all the reasons why so I'll throw out another couple books for any aspiring parents:
- The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
- The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood (or The Strawberry book as we called it)
I'm extremely fond of the Strawberry book. I don't think I'll ever not love it. It's such a fun story that slyly places the reader as a character in the story. It's just a little bit sneaky.
And, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. I would pay real money for a framed copy of the disguise scene. It makes me laugh to this day.
- The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
- The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood (or The Strawberry book as we called it)
I'm extremely fond of the Strawberry book. I don't think I'll ever not love it. It's such a fun story that slyly places the reader as a character in the story. It's just a little bit sneaky.
And, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. I would pay real money for a framed copy of the disguise scene. It makes me laugh to this day.
Great recommendations, Rob.
We have pretty much every Sandra Boynton book. They are fantastic. Plus a good number of them are songs and she has collaborated with tons of musicians to make them very special. Perfect Piggies [1] is a total ear worm and here is a song done by the Bacon Brothers [2].
While we do ready The Going to Bed Book every.single.night, I think my favorite is Snuggle Puppy - A Little Love Song [3]. I read it a little different than how that video is, but its really sweet and pure.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0aUhUJDBE [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pm9_M-94XY [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G6cJTmrYZ8
We have pretty much every Sandra Boynton book. They are fantastic. Plus a good number of them are songs and she has collaborated with tons of musicians to make them very special. Perfect Piggies [1] is a total ear worm and here is a song done by the Bacon Brothers [2].
While we do ready The Going to Bed Book every.single.night, I think my favorite is Snuggle Puppy - A Little Love Song [3]. I read it a little different than how that video is, but its really sweet and pure.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x0aUhUJDBE [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pm9_M-94XY [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G6cJTmrYZ8
One of the best literary long-tail effects of having a child has been that my wife and I became huge Margret Wise Brown fans. She was a fine artist and a true blueblooded bohehmian, and I'm grateful I got to "know" her & her work.
I agree.
When I read to my pre-literate children, I'd say the title and they would have to repeat it after me. Then I'd say the author's name, again they'd have to repeat it back. Then I'd read the rest of the book.
They wondered why they had to do that, and sometimes they even resisted. Then I'd play a game of not being able to go on until they said it.
Anyway, as they grew they knew the authors of all their favorite books. To this day (in their 30's) they know the names.
When I read to my pre-literate children, I'd say the title and they would have to repeat it after me. Then I'd say the author's name, again they'd have to repeat it back. Then I'd read the rest of the book.
They wondered why they had to do that, and sometimes they even resisted. Then I'd play a game of not being able to go on until they said it.
Anyway, as they grew they knew the authors of all their favorite books. To this day (in their 30's) they know the names.
I don't do this with my kid (aged 3), but I do always make sure to read the author's name. She should know that books are written by people!
But she's convinced that all books are written by Mo Willems, because we do have a lot of his books.
But she's convinced that all books are written by Mo Willems, because we do have a lot of his books.
I should check out more of her stuff. Older books that I’ve enjoyed revisiting with my toddler are ones by Virginia Lee Burton and Bill Peet.
Re: Goodnight Moon, I was most taken by the colors. That orangy-red is so vibrant (at least in the old 1970s copy I have).
Re: Goodnight Moon, I was most taken by the colors. That orangy-red is so vibrant (at least in the old 1970s copy I have).
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This article is way more interesting and better than you might expect.
Interesting article. A lot of the stuff in there really doesn't surprise me though if you view it through the lens of how tough the times were - if born in 1910, there's WWI and the depression during one's youth and early adulthood.
I love reading this to my 4-5 year olds. To make the book more fun for them, we also point out fine details throughout the book and put them to bed as well :)
I really want to know what a wolfskin jacket is now.
I guess it's just a fur coat, but made from wolves. Fur fell out of fashion so quickly didn't it.
I'm sorry. I still don't get it.
I was never read Goodnight Moon as a child, so I have no sense of nostalgia for the book. And despite the overwhelming pressure society places on me reading it to my toddler, neither of us have any meaningful connection to the book.
In contrast, you had A.A. Milne, Dr. Suess, and Dorothy Kunhardt all publishing some amazing (and radical!) children's books over decade earlier!
I was never read Goodnight Moon as a child, so I have no sense of nostalgia for the book. And despite the overwhelming pressure society places on me reading it to my toddler, neither of us have any meaningful connection to the book.
In contrast, you had A.A. Milne, Dr. Suess, and Dorothy Kunhardt all publishing some amazing (and radical!) children's books over decade earlier!
> I'm sorry. I still don't get it.
IMHO, it's a bedtime story for very young children. It's got a calming pace, a rhythm that you can probably appreciate even if you can't understand words yet, and lots of concrete nouns.
> And despite the overwhelming pressure society places on me reading it to my toddler, neither of us have any meaningful connection to the book.
I have a little one, and he has a meaningful connection to it, because he's at the stage where everyday things are super interesting and new. You give him some more "interesting" book, and he doesn't care about the "interesting" parts, and is more into the cups, the clocks, or the balls.
IMHO, it's a bedtime story for very young children. It's got a calming pace, a rhythm that you can probably appreciate even if you can't understand words yet, and lots of concrete nouns.
> And despite the overwhelming pressure society places on me reading it to my toddler, neither of us have any meaningful connection to the book.
I have a little one, and he has a meaningful connection to it, because he's at the stage where everyday things are super interesting and new. You give him some more "interesting" book, and he doesn't care about the "interesting" parts, and is more into the cups, the clocks, or the balls.
Bear Snores On is another great book for that age, although not as calming still good for bedtime :)
Agreed. And for people who like reading rhyming children's books, anything by Julia Donaldson is a good bet.
https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Donaldson/e/B000APV1DK
https://www.amazon.com/Julia-Donaldson/e/B000APV1DK
If you feel "overwhelming pressure" to read Goodnight Moon to your kid you must have lived a very pressure free life up until now
Going for goodnight moon aggressively is hilarious
I would personally consider accusations of "aggression" in that particular comment to be unfounded.
Disagreement is actual violence.
damn, overwhelming pressure?
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I’m glad she helped inspire today’s children's authors to be more developmentally appropriate and those authors have gone on to produce better work as a result.
But “Goodnight Moon” is overrated.
But “Goodnight Moon” is overrated.
I agree. Specifically, it's nonsensical and not in a good way. Yes, it's silly. But it's also a bit triggering for children with fears of the dark, with the line "goodnight noises everywhere".
> it's also a bit triggering for children with fears of the dark, with the line "goodnight noises everywhere".
Can you say more about why you feel this way? I ask because I feel the opposite. To me, saying "goodnight" to noises everywhere is almost like my three-year-old calling a ceasefire for the night; the noises are also going to sleep, so she need not worry.
Can you say more about why you feel this way? I ask because I feel the opposite. To me, saying "goodnight" to noises everywhere is almost like my three-year-old calling a ceasefire for the night; the noises are also going to sleep, so she need not worry.
Sure. As a child, I was very afraid of the dark. The last thing I want to think about before going to bed are unknown "noises everywhere", that'll make my ears perk up to listen for mysterious noises. Reading this book to my daughter brought back these vivid and mostly unpleasant memories.
I understand it won't be like this for everyone, of course. And at the same time, I don't understand the appeal. So to me, it's not a great book all around.
I understand it won't be like this for everyone, of course. And at the same time, I don't understand the appeal. So to me, it's not a great book all around.
Goodnight Moon is an interesting book for sure (the other not so much). But what we are seeing is acclaim for another landed gentry getting her chance to 'do her thing'.
A couple of quick bits from her wiki: "Brown was born in Brooklyn, New York, the middle child of three of Maude Margaret (Johnson) and Robert Bruce Brown.[1][3] She was the granddaughter of politician Benjamin Gratz Brown. Her parents had an unhappy marriage. She was initially raised in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood, and attended Chateau Brilliantmont boarding school in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1923,[4][5] while her parents were living in India and Canterbury, Connecticut. In 1925, she attended The Kew-Forest School.[6] She began attending Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, in 1926, where she did well in athletics. After graduation in 1928, Brown went on to Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia."
- granddaughter of politician, boarding school in Switzerland
"Brown was an avid, lifelong beagler and was noted for her ability to keep pace, on foot, with the hounds.[7]"
- foxhunter
"While at Hollins she was briefly engaged.[12] She dated, for some time, an unknown "good, quiet man from Virginia,"[13] had a long-running affair with William Gaston,[14][15] and had a summer romance with Preston Schoyer.[16] In the summer of 1940, Brown began a long-term relationship with Blanche Oelrichs (nom de plume Michael Strange), poet/playwright, actress, and the former wife of John Barrymore. The relationship, which began as a mentoring one, eventually became romantic and included co-habiting at 10 Gracie Square in Manhattan beginning in 1943.[17] As a studio, they used Cobble Court, a wooden house later moved to Charles Street. Oelrichs, who was 20 years Brown's senior, died in 1950."
- relationships with men and women. Is this 'radical'? Even in 1920?
"In 1952, Brown met James Stillman 'Pebble' Rockefeller Jr. at a party, and they became engaged."
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The point is that many people are capable of creating wonderful literature, being acclaimed as radical, etc. Its not that hard when you granddad was governor of Missouri and a potential VP, you went to school in Switzerland, and you are engaged to a Rockefeller.
A couple of quick bits from her wiki: "Brown was born in Brooklyn, New York, the middle child of three of Maude Margaret (Johnson) and Robert Bruce Brown.[1][3] She was the granddaughter of politician Benjamin Gratz Brown. Her parents had an unhappy marriage. She was initially raised in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood, and attended Chateau Brilliantmont boarding school in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1923,[4][5] while her parents were living in India and Canterbury, Connecticut. In 1925, she attended The Kew-Forest School.[6] She began attending Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, in 1926, where she did well in athletics. After graduation in 1928, Brown went on to Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia."
- granddaughter of politician, boarding school in Switzerland
"Brown was an avid, lifelong beagler and was noted for her ability to keep pace, on foot, with the hounds.[7]"
- foxhunter
"While at Hollins she was briefly engaged.[12] She dated, for some time, an unknown "good, quiet man from Virginia,"[13] had a long-running affair with William Gaston,[14][15] and had a summer romance with Preston Schoyer.[16] In the summer of 1940, Brown began a long-term relationship with Blanche Oelrichs (nom de plume Michael Strange), poet/playwright, actress, and the former wife of John Barrymore. The relationship, which began as a mentoring one, eventually became romantic and included co-habiting at 10 Gracie Square in Manhattan beginning in 1943.[17] As a studio, they used Cobble Court, a wooden house later moved to Charles Street. Oelrichs, who was 20 years Brown's senior, died in 1950."
- relationships with men and women. Is this 'radical'? Even in 1920?
"In 1952, Brown met James Stillman 'Pebble' Rockefeller Jr. at a party, and they became engaged."
--
The point is that many people are capable of creating wonderful literature, being acclaimed as radical, etc. Its not that hard when you granddad was governor of Missouri and a potential VP, you went to school in Switzerland, and you are engaged to a Rockefeller.
> Its not that hard when you granddad
maybe spelling is important to literature, too?
maybe spelling is important to literature, too?
zinger! /s
Still, that's a pretty tame effort (pointing out a typo) for an elite apologist. You don't address any of the points I mention.
Honestly, I'm pretty bored of hearing about these individuals who live their lives in luxury on account of their family undertaking some of form of trickery on the masses. And then because some later relative of their owns or writes for the NYT, they are feted and shoved down our throats, even 100 years later.
Still, that's a pretty tame effort (pointing out a typo) for an elite apologist. You don't address any of the points I mention.
Honestly, I'm pretty bored of hearing about these individuals who live their lives in luxury on account of their family undertaking some of form of trickery on the masses. And then because some later relative of their owns or writes for the NYT, they are feted and shoved down our throats, even 100 years later.
That line from Goodnight Moon fascinated me. What a strangely beautiful bit of absurdism in a children’s book!
This article really makes clear the beauty of the pacing and care for language in her work. Brown apparently spent several years crafting language of each of her stories. It’s quite subtle but much more evident when compared to some of the clumsier modern children’s books that I’ve read.
Also I think there are real insights for parents to be gained from considering her work. Brown really takes the subjective, sensory experiences of children’s seriously. It’s not easy for an adult to remember the sensations of feeling the world for the first time but i think it’s really important to try to have empathy for how children experience life.