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When the Moon Sleeps: A Cosmic Kids' Adventure
Explore space with 'When the Moon Sleeps, Do You Think He Dreams?' as kids ask the author questions about planets, dreams, and the author's journey.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read When the Moon Sleeps, Do You Think He Dreams?, a gentle, rhyming picture book that blends bedtime imagination with fascinating space science as a curious child wonders what the moon does when the sun comes up.
Whether your little one loves dreamy bedtime stories, space and planets, or asking big “what if?” questions about the world, this episode is filled with moments that spark curiosity long after storytime ends.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
This time they’re joined by David Klochko, author of When the Moon Sleeps, Do You Think He Dreams?. His gentle, imaginative story invites kids to wonder about the night sky, blending cozy bedtime rhymes with fascinating space facts as the moon embarks on a dreamy journey across the solar system.
The episode opens with a read-aloud of David Klochko’s imaginative tale. The book invites readers to ponder a whimsical question: After a long night of diligent work, providing light to guide and comfort us, what does the Moon do when the Sun rises? Does the Moon, too, crawl into bed and dream?
In this story, the Moon is personified as a gentle, hardworking being who, once his nightly duties are finished, pulls up his blankets, shuts his eyes, and falls into a deep slumber. But what does he dream about? The narrative follows the Moon’s cosmic adventures as he travels across the galaxy, visiting each planet and enjoying playful escapades, from skateboarding in Mercury's craters to roller derbying on Saturn’s rings, and braving icy winds on Uranus and Neptune.
The story subtly teaches the order of the planets from the Sun, introduces fun facts about each, and kindles a sense of wonder about the vast universe.
While the Moon is the protagonist, the true heart of the story is the child narrator, a curious dreamer who ponders what celestial bodies might do when they're not on duty. This perspective not only invites children to question and imagine, but also celebrates the power of a child's mind.
By the end of the story, readers are encouraged to say goodnight to the Moon, knowing that its comforting presence will return each evening to light up the darkness.
During the Q&A, David Klochko reveals a few hidden “Easter eggs” sprinkled throughout his book. The Moon’s journey through space follows the scientific order of the planets from the Sun, helping kids learn about the solar system in a way that feels more like play than study. Additionally, the illustrations often show the planet the Moon has just left or is heading towards, gently reinforcing the concept of planetary placement.
Each planet featured incorporates a fascinating fact. For example, Mercury’s enormous craters—some spanning miles—are a result of its thin atmosphere, which doesn’t break up incoming asteroids. Mars’ Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in the solar system, is another highlight, discovered by the author during his research.
The original spark for the book came from the author’s daughter learning to identify the moon, enthusiastically pointing out "Luna" during nighttime outings. Seeking a fresh approach to moon-themed stories, Klochko crafted his own, starting with the title before even building the narrative.
Regarding detailed planetary information, he admits to learning alongside his readers, researching fun facts about each planet specifically for the story, which reaffirmed that the process of writing picture books can also be a journey of discovery.
A question from the kids: Are the planets boys or girls? Klochko shares that the genders he assigned—such as envisioning the Moon as a boy—were based on what felt natural to him, while acknowledging that readers might imagine them differently. The openness of these personifications leaves space for personal interpretation, allowing children to project their own ideas onto the characters.
One child asked why the Moon’s dreams didn’t feature aliens or other life forms. Klochko explains that he chose to focus on interactions between the Moon and the planets themselves, providing teachable moments about astronomy, rather than introducing speculative creatures. This decision underscores the subtle ways authors can guide young readers toward real-world learning through fiction, while still leaving room for wild imagination.
Asked about the process of becoming an author, Klochko shares an endearing anecdote: his journey began during a car ride, when his daughter requested a story about a baby dragon. After repeated requests, he chose to write the story down, eventually leading to his first book, Fly High Baby Dragon. For Klochko, inspiration often springs from the needs and interests of children, and stories can grow from small seeds—sometimes even a single title or question.
Klochko remains loyal to traditional methods—planning and jotting down ideas in notebooks, sketching out the pages and envisioning the illustrations before passing the baton to professional illustrators and designers. While he doesn’t illustrate his books himself, he’s closely involved in conceptualizing each scene, ensuring the visuals match his imaginative vision.
Family is central to Klochko’s journey as an author. His daughter provided the initial inspiration not just for When the Moon Sleeps… but for other stories as well. His wife acts as an indispensable editor and reader, offering feedback and thoughtful critique.
Klochko also emphasizes the importance of creating—and sometimes setting aside—stories that aren’t quite ready for the world. He advises children (and adults) that not every creative effort will be perfect or worthy of sharing, but every attempt is valuable—an important lesson about growth through practice and perseverance.
The Moon’s journey is both playful and factual, blending poetry and education. Here are some planetary tidbits highlighted in the story and discussion:
Mercury: Home to huge craters, thanks to a thin atmosphere unable to protect it from space debris.
Venus: Unlike Earth, Venus has no moons at all—a lonely fact that sparkles in the book’s narrative.
Mars: Boasts Olympus Mons, the largest mountain in our solar system.
Jupiter: Famous for its "Great Red Spot"—a massive, centuries-long storm emitting considerable heat.
Saturn: Known for its beautiful rings, perfect for an imagined roller derby.
Uranus: An ice giant with cold, sideways-spinning rings.
Neptune: Deep blue, far from the Sun, with strong winds the Moon can ride.
Pluto: A nod to "older folk" who remember it as a planet, included as a forgotten friend at the edge of the galaxy.
The author’s choice to follow real planetary order and facts immerses readers in astronomy without turning the story into a science lecture—learning happens naturally through adventure.
No kids’ Q&A is complete without whimsical questions that challenge the grown-ups. From whether the Moon wears a coat on cold planets (he doesn’t, but maybe he should have packed one), to what time the Moon wakes up (currently, around 6 p.m., with daylight savings adjustments), and where he bought his eye mask (Bed Bath & Beyond’s “Beyond” section, of course!), the episode bubbles with playful banter that honors children’s imaginative leaps.
The “rapid-fire” round tested Klochko’s knowledge—ranging from the names of galaxies, to the use of telescopes, space suits, and satellites. .
When the Moon Sleeps, Do You Think He Dreams? is more than a bedtime story—it’s an example of how picture books fuse storytelling, science, and imagination. The Moon’s journey engages readers in astronomy, planetary science, creativity, and poetry, encouraging them to ask questions, dream, and seek knowledge.
Klochko’s open discussion of his creative process, including its challenges and his willingness to learn alongside his readers, makes the job of an author relatable and attainable. Children see that books don’t appear fully formed; stories take shape through questioning, researching, imagining, and revising.
Children’s books don’t just prepare kids for school; they help them ask deep questions, imagine distant worlds, and—perhaps most importantly—teach grown-ups to see with childlike wonder once again. Whether you’re a parent seeking bedtime tales, an aspiring writer looking for inspiration, or a young reader dreaming under the stars, this episode offers a gentle reminder to look to the skies and ask: When the Moon sleeps, do you think he dreams?
Let’s keep asking questions, imagining adventures, and reading together—whether it’s about moons, dragons, or unknown planets at the farthest edge of the galaxy.
Want to Grab a Copy of When the Moon Sleeps, Do You Think He Dreams?
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You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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