When Grandma was the Moon by Stuart French - Ethicool Kid's Books

Poetic, raw and heartfelt, When Grandma Was the Moon helps little ones everywhere understand that a loved one may be gone, but they're still here in so many special ways.

A book that will bring a tear to your eye for all the right reasons.

A heart-warming kids' book about death and loss.

Gazing from an elevated window above the cityscape, a child stares into the warmly-lit windows of their neighbouring apartments. Anchored above the rows of civilisation is the wise but weathered stare of the moon. Is their Grandma up there? Indeed, she is, and little ones will let their imagination take flight as they wander through the endearing world that their precious grandparent calls home.

If you’re looking for a children’s book about death or the loss of a loved one, then this gorgeous story has been shaped just for you by our widely-acclaimed author, Stuart French.

On the issue: How to talk to your children about death

Talking about death with our children, especially if we ourselves are grieving, is one of the most challenging tasks for parents and carers. What should we say? What shouldn't we say? Should we say nothing? Do children even understand what death is? Team Ethicool recently spoke to clinical psychologist Dr. Bec Jackson about how to talk to children about death, what they actually understand about it, and how to help them process it in their own unique way. Read more in our compelling expose: How to talk to your children about death.

• Recommended ages: for 0 - 9yrs old
• Author: Stuart French
• Illustrator: Madison Pollard
• Size: 11" x 8.5" landscape (27.5 x 21cm)
• Cover: heavy softcover (300GSM)
• Pages: medium inside pages (200GSM)

An excerpt from the story

Did you know the moon's an artist and she paints with the evening light. She gathers the world's colours and hides them beneath the night.

Did you know the moon's a lady and she dances through the evening. She gathers the tides of the ocean and their movement is her breathing.

Did you know the moon is watching and the clouds hold her thoughts so tight. She gathers all your kindness and turns it into light.

Oh, did you know the moon's a teacher and she times her class to the rolling tides. She gathers all the children and gazes inside their minds.

I know the moon's an artist and she's in my room tonight. She saw that I was lonely and she began to shine so bright.

I know the moon's a grandma and her stories keep me warm. She felt that I was crying and my little heart was torn.

I know the moon's awake and she found my dreams among the clouds. She saw that my eyes were raining and she sang to me out loud...

Most Ethicool Books are designed for ages 0 - 6 years old, but are frequently read by much older children, too.

All our stories average 500-750 words in length.

About the Company

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A better world starts with better children's books

Hey world! We're Ethicool.

We create remarkable children's books about the world’s big issues, inspiring kids to create positive change.

Why the big issues? Well, because our little ones are ready. They get it. They're perceptive, intelligent and capable; they're ready to grow up and make the world a better place. They have the answers, the solutions, and the motivation to not only fulfill their own dreams, but to make our planet more equitable and sustainable.

And we have the stories to get them started.

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Creating a better world is an important mission, so we partner with the world's most talented authors and illustrators to create books that are not just meaningful, but truly BEAUTIFUL to read and stunning to look at.

The potential of little ones

Ethicool was founded in 2020 by Australian husband and wife team, Teigan Margetts and Stuart French.

When tucking their two young sons into bed every night, they would often invent stories about the world's big issues, with their little ones playing the starring role of saving the day.

They quickly realised that their children not only understood the issues, but wanted to do more about them.

Wanting to teach their sons more, Teigan and Stu turned to children's books. But, as they browsed through the hundreds of books they owned, they couldn't find a single one that inspired great change.

And so, Ethicool was born: a children's book company that helps little ones change the world.

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Creating books usually requires cutting down even more trees.

But not ours! Ethicool’s books are printed using recycled or sustainably-sourced papers, as well as soy-based inks.

Our books have been extensively tested for durability by the most unforgiving testers (toddlers!), so you won't be looking to throw them away after a few weeks' reading.

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Ethicool Books is immensely proud to be a partner of 1% for the Planet!

1% for the Planet members have given back more than $US265 million to the environment, simply by donating 1% of their revenue every single year, regardless of whether they've made a profit.

It's an incredibly simple model, but one of immense value - financially, environmentally, and culturally.

It means we're actively invested in living our beliefs and contributing to a cause that is passionate about solving the right problems, and on a global scale.