Wild Honey From the Moon, written and illustrated by Kenneth Kraegel. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2019. $23.99 ages 5 and up

"Mother Shrew climbed high into
the treetops and stared up at the
distant moon. A cool voice broke
into the quiet night. "Why, hello,
Mrs. Shrew," crooned Horned Owl.
"Shall I eat you now or save you for
later?" "My dear mortal enemy,"
Mother Shrew replied without
taking her eyes off the moon,
"you must eat me later, for right
now I am on a mother's errand to
the moon."

When her son Hugo falls ill, Mother Shrew will not be hindered in her quest to find a cure. Hugo's illness is uncommon; no remedy is readily available. He is listless, with a head that is a cold and feet that are far too warm. Checking her best medical journal, Mother Shrew learns that the only cure for what ails Hugo is a spoonful of honey from the moon.

What? From the moon? How will she do that? Mothers know tenacity and love, and the level of dedication needed to help a beloved child. Her path seems obvious. She will go to the moon. How many obstacles can stand in her way? Each of the seven short chapters show just how brave she is and how far she is willing to go for Hugo.

The flight to the moon is provided by the Great Horned Owl who bragged he had been to the moon many times. Once there, he notes the stampeding nightmares and wants to take her back home where she will be a delectable meal. Dropping to the moon's surface she proves that she is a mother on a mission! Using one of the moon's 'nightmares' for travel, she offers a calming song. When the mare tires, Mother Shrew goes on alone. A chance meeting with a butterfly affords a lift to the Garden of the Queen Bee. The drone guard does its best to stop her from meeting with their Queen, keeper of the honey she needs. She will not be bullied.

"My dear sick sone needs your honey to be well.
So step aside. I am a mother on a mission, and I
will not be held back."

Full of warmth, this illustrated chapter book will be cherished for its love and bravery. The ink and watercolor images are a feast for the eyes. Textured and complex, they lead readers from the shrew's cozy den to the unexplored surface of the moon, and back again. What an adventure this is!