Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

“Trust in the wisdom of the universe, and in good time the answers will appear.” Trust is a difficult concept to understand, no matter how old you are. How can we trust that what we want to share, what we want to be heard, is transmitted and received in kind? The answer is in the universe – in the stars. Little stars in the sky and their ponies have been assigned a daunting exercise, one that will spread the wonders of the universe to the hearts and souls of sleeping children. Only, it’s difficult for the little stars to understand how this task can be completed. They are told they have “star qualities” and they wonder what that means. Star qualities “are the qualities of godliness… like love, and inner peace and courage… all of which are important to face life’s opportunities.” But still, they are unsure how to transmit their message to the children of Earth. Through music and song, they discover, while the children sleep. Why? Because that is when their hearts are open and “an open heart is the pathway to their souls.” After all, “the door to the wisdom of the universe is through the heart.” Profound words for a simple message of sharing love and peace and courage.

Cheiri Lowry’s picture book story, The Man In The Moon and The Star Ponies, is a beautifully illustrated story that leads young readers through the stars and the power of trust, love, inner peace and so much more. The plot is the stars’ quest to find a way into children’s hearts and souls. The quest leads them through the universe until they find an opening, the great passage that will, hopefully, lead them to the children of Earth so they can begin their mission. It’s a complex notion told in simple language with the star characters (no pun intended) being the stars of the universe and their faithful ponies. The stars are constantly asking questions, much like children do, and also like children, they pursue their mission of finding answers, determined and trusting that there is a satisfactory answer to be found. At first glance, this may appear to be a simple story about the stars in the sky and the moon that leads them on a quest, but it is so much more. It will take several readings and lots of interactive discussion for the young reader to fully appreciate the depth of the message being presented.