Milo’s Moonlight Mission
A Family Like Ours cover
Milo’s Moonlight Mission written by Kathleen M. Blasi, illustrated by Petronela Dostalova; Yeehoo Press, 2021.
From the dramatic black background of the cover to Milo’s look of adventure and awe, to the bold shooting stars, this sweet picture book beckons the reader to open the book.

Milo’s Moonlight Mission is an inviting tale about an inquisitive boy with an expansive imagination, high hopes, a winning personality, and a wise “Second-in-Command” or mom. How Milo’s day evolves and comes to a satisfying conclusion–including a memorable bit of astronomical wonder–makes for a recommended read-aloud especially suited for bedtime, and perhaps the wee hours beyond.

“Star gazing takes time. A good long time.”Milo’s Moonlight Mission

Why this Book? Why will it matter to kids?

Milo is curious, has an active imagination, and is also resourceful. Young listeners of preschool and primary grade ages will identify with his fascination with space as well as his worry about having to wait, and wait… and perhaps miss a magnificent meteor storm. Kids will take note of Milo’s efforts to be patient, his playfulness, and his innovative approach to trying to solve a problem, such as helping his “Second-in Command” to ensure that Mom has time for both her work and his star gazing adventure. It’s a satisfying story through to the end.

Levels and Layers of Learning

Grade level: Pre-K-Grade 2
Social-Emotional Learning Themes
Compassion, connection, creativity, diligence, effort, empathy, encouragement, fortitude, inspiration, passion, perseverance, persistence, perspective, resilience, resourcefulness, respect, self-assurance, self-awareness, self-reliance, tenacity, understanding
Content Area Connections
Science, ELA
Milo with Mom
Illustration © Petronela Dostalova

 

Using This Book in the Classroom

Hit the Ground Running
Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents

Milo’s Moonlight Mission Lesson Plan 

 

Write Away!
Ideas to prompt writing

Milo thinks of his mom as his “Second-in-Command.” Who is your “Second-in-Command” in your family? Write a description of this person and draw a picture.

Milo has to be patient while he waits for his mom to finish her work. How do you think Milo is feeling? How would you feel if you were Milo? How does Milo respond to his disappointment? Do you think he made good choices? Explain.

Have you ever had to wait for your parent to finish something before giving you attention? How did it feel? How did you respond? Would you do anything differently if you had the chance for a do-over?

What do you think happens after the story ends?

Read-aloud the note from the author. Ask students to tell about a special memory they have shared with others.

 

Milo's Moonlight Mission Story Walk
Milo's Moonlight Mission Story Walk
Milo Story Walk

Milo’s Moonlight Mission Storywalk, June 2021

 

Poetry Break
Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book

Poetry breaks fit perfectly into brief moments in the day—from opening or closing the day to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to transitioning from one subject to the next. Reading a poem typically takes less than a minute, yet it can introduce or reinforce a concept, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding, increase attention span, initiate reflection, or summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes the spirit.

 

  • Blast Off! Poems About Space selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
  • The Popcorn Astronauts And Other Biteable Rhymes by Deborah Ruddell, illustrated by Joan Rankin

 

 

 

And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study

Blasi talks with her publisher about collaboration in creating picture books 

Related Books of Interest:

 

  • Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield
  • Field Trip to the Moon by John Hare
  • Mad Scientist Academy: The Space Disaster by Matthew McElligott
  • Pluto Gets the Call by Adam Rex, illustrated by Laurie Keller
  • Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Stevie Lewis

Meet the Author

Kathy Blasi head shot
Kathleen Blasi writes books for young readers, including Hosea Plays On (illustrated by Shane W. Evans), A Name of Honor, and Are Organized Sports Better for Kids than Pickup Games? For story ideas, she draws on real life and seemingly casual observation. (Most of her family members are unaware that they often land in her stories.) Active in the children’s writing community, Kathleen serves as Co-President of Rochester Area Children’s Writers & Illustrators and is former Co-Director of the Rochester Children’s Book Festival, for which she and her Co-Director received the 2015 New York State Reading Association Literacy Advocate Award. Kathleen lives in western New York, where, along with writing, she enjoys fostering the curiosity of young storytellers. Visit her website to learn more.

Backstory: Q & A with Kathleen M. Blasi

Kathy is an author, an excellent events organizer, and one who generously gives back to her community–both the writing community, and her local community. I have been fortunate to know Kathy, as a participant invited to the Rochester Children’s Book Festival, and subsequently as a friend. I first hosted Kathy on this blog when her picture book Hosea Plays On was published. You can find the post here and an educator’s guide for the book here. Kathy was gracious in giving of her time to answer a few questions about the writing of Milo’s Moonlight Mission and about her career creating books for children.

Judy Bradbury: How did you come to write Milo’s Moonlight Mission? What kernel seeded its creation?

Kathleen M. Blasi: The story came to me in its original telling, after I experienced my own moonlight mission with my family, roughly 20 years ago. Originally, the story reflected what truly happened—we heard about an upcoming spectacular meteor storm and went outside in the wee hours of the morning to witness it.

JB: Tell about one hurdle you experienced in the creation of Milo’s Moonlight Mission or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the creation of this book.

KMB: When Yeehoo Press was considering illustrators for Milo’s Moonlight Mission, they told me they were looking for someone with an imaginative/quirky style. I re-read the email. Imaginative? Were they confusing my manuscript with another one? I had no idea they were already thinking of bringing the reader right into Milo’s imagination, which is not reflected in the text. What a wonderful (and effective) surprise!

JB: What did you learn from writing Milo’s Moonlight Mission?

KMB: I am not one to give up, but this book affirms that in spades. Milo, under a different title, even went to Acquisitions twice with a publisher in 2017. I kept revising and finally figured out how to make it work better. It was about the cadence. I kept playing with the words and rewrote the beginning to carry that cadence through from the beginning of the story. Lesson learned! It’s never too late, unless you stop looking at your stories in new ways. We have to be open to the possibilities!

JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or about the writing of Milo’s Moonlight Mission?

KMB: An astute reader recently asked me whether I relate more to the child or to the mom in the story. I loved this question, as it made me pause and think. The truth is, I relate to both. When my kids were younger, I sometimes struggled with guilt in having to do the things I HAD to do, at the expense of missing those potentially magic moments with them. But also growing up as one of seven children, I’m sure I longed for more quality one-on-one with my parents. Especially having six brothers!

JB: One of the themes in this picture book is the importance of being mindful to make time in our busy lives for these often fleeting moments that become cherished memories. Milo steers the boat here—or perhaps I should say, the spaceship. You skillfully and gently portray his feelings through the progression of the story. How did this theme evolve?

KMB: The notion of “small” moments becoming treasured memories came from an epiphany I had after I’d written the first few drafts of the story. Those versions were more of an account of what actually happened and fell flat. I found when I thought about that special night, I was equally focused on the togetherness. Would the meteor storm have had the same effect on me, if I’d witnessed it alone? Absolutely not. I realized the story was more about the time experiencing the storm together. That gave me the emotional anchor that was lacking. As for portraying Milo’s feelings, I wanted him to be relatable. He acknowledges his disappointment but then we see his cooperative nature shine through to help him get what he wants.

 

JB: What is your favorite part of the story? Why?

KMB: At the end, when Mom tells Milo she made it just on time for her meeting with a very important person: The first time I read the book aloud to a group—at my book launch event—I teared up at that part. I knew what was coming, of course. I’d read it a gazillion times. And the warmth with which Petronela Dostalova portrayed that spread is stunning. It feels like they’ve arrived—both their efforts got them to the special moment they individually longed for.

JB: What do you hope readers will take away from Milo’s Moonlight Mission? 

KMB: Make the time, so you can take the time. And time spent together can be in small moments of doing things like cooking together or doing the dishes together. And of course, that star gazing offers opportunities to create special moments. My kids (and my nephew) still love to star gaze and are always on the lookout for another spectacular meteor event.

JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?

KMB: Why “Milo?” Do you know a “Milo?”

Answer: Up until maybe 6 months ago, the title of the story was Clear Skies, Storm Likely. The main character’s name was Nick. Yeehoo wanted to change the title to more accurately capture the essence of the story. I like the word “mission” and suggested Mission: Mom. Well, the story is really Nick’s, so that didn’t work. I’m a big fan of alliteration, so I asked if I could change the main character’s name to something beginning with M. Okay, now we are getting closer. Milo’s Mission. We liked that alliteration so much, we wanted another M word. Thus…Milo’s Moonlight Mission.

 

 

Mission Accomplished
Illustration © Petronela Dostalova 

 

About the Illustrator

Milo’s Moonlight Mission is illustrated by Petronela Dostalova.

Over to You…

Join the conversation! Offer your thoughts on the featured question related to this month’s post in the comments section below. You are also welcome to post a comment related to this month’s book. Thanks for sharing!

What is your favorite picture book that blends fact and fiction? 

 

News & Updates

If you are in the Western New York area, you can sign your kids up for a three-week outdoor literacy experience taking place in August at Glen Park Nature Play Area featuring themed activities related to Book 1 in the Cayuga Island Kids series: The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship. Find registration details here.

Look for me at the Erie County Fair in August!

Book 2 in the Cayuga Island Kids series, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek, comes out in September! Find more information here. It is available for pre-order now, and I will gladly personalize to your specifications all copies ordered from the publisher. Thank you!

Final Thought

“Memories are precious. They help tell us who we are.” ~ Stella, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

1 Comment

  1. Marsha Hayles

    Milo’s Mission is a wonderful, evocative, heart-felt book! My thanks to Kathy Blasi for writing it and to Judy Bradbury for sharing it with readers. I especially enjoyed hearing how the story–and even its title–changed as Kathy worked on it. I think Milo’s Moonlight Mission is perfect from title to text to illustrations. Great book!

    Reply

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