When the Moon Is High
Alice Schertle
When the Moon Is High
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Alice Schertle
Illustrated by Julia Noonan
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Daddy’s arms are the coziest place when the moon is high, and tonight, Baby just can’t sleep. As they walk beneath the silver moonlight, a secret world of friendly nighttime animals comes alive, making the night sparkle with surprises. It’s a bedtime adventure that shows how love and nature can turn a restless night into a magical one.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This gentle bedtime story follows a baby and Daddy on a soothing moonlit walk, introducing young readers to the calming presence of nature and family closeness. The rhythmic, guess-who poem style and soft illustrations make it perfect for ages 5 to 8, especially for early readers who benefit from a comforting narrative before sleep. The book celebrates family bonds and the peacefulness of nighttime without any intense content.
Why we rated When the Moon Is High 6C
When the Moon Is High is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, When the Moon Is High works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate When the Moon Is High as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, When the Moon Is High explores family, friendship, nature, and bedtime routine — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, friendship, nature.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Goodnight Baby Moon
DK Publishing
Goodnight Baby Moon
DK Publishing
The Moon Followed Me Home
Elizabeth Bewley
The Moon Followed Me Home
Elizabeth Bewley
Moon
Daisy Allyn
Moon
Daisy Allyn
The moon
Robert Louis Stevenson
The moon
Robert Louis Stevenson
Moonlight
Jan Ormerod
Moonlight
Jan Ormerod
Rise the moon
Eileen Spinelli
Rise the moon
Eileen Spinelli
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780688151430
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- April 15, 2003
- Type
- Fiction