Editorial review

おつきさまこんばんは

Name: おつきさまこんばんは
ISBN: 9784834006872

林明子／福音館書店

Otsukisama Konbanwa: a gentle good-evening to the moon for babies

Akiko Hayashi's classic baby book (Fukuinkan Shoten, 1986): a round golden moon rises over a rooftop, is hidden by a cloud, then returns smiling. A tiny, calm story well suited to bedtime with babies and toddlers up to about 3.

Publisher states: 読んであげるなら 0才から
NIPIKO Books suggests: 0–3 yrs

About the book

おつきさまこんばんは (roughly 'Good Evening, Moon') is a picture book written and illustrated by Akiko Hayashi, first published by Fukuinkan Shoten in June 1986. It belongs to the publisher's baby-book line (福音館あかちゃんの絵本) and is the fourth title in the くつくつあるけのほん set. The standard edition is an 18 × 18 cm, 20-page paper book; in 2024 the publisher added a smaller board-book edition with rounded corners.

The story and what makes it special

The story is as simple as it gets. In a deep-blue night sky, a round golden moon slowly appears above a rooftop, a dark cloud drifts across and hides it, and then the moon comes back with a warm smile. That simplicity, together with Hayashi's soft, glowing artwork, is a big part of why the book has stayed a staple of Japanese baby bookshelves for decades.

Summarised from reader feedback

Why children love it

Parents on 絵本ナビ and on the publisher's own comment page describe babies responding strongly to the moon's round, expressive face. Many report children bowing along with 'konbanwa' before they can talk, looking worried when the cloud arrives and smiling when the moon smiles again. Copying the cheeky tongue-out moon on the back cover is a favourite game, and several families mention children greeting the real moon outside after reading it.

What parents may appreciate

Readers often praise the contrast of the dark night-blue with the yellow moon, which is both beautiful and easy for young eyes to follow. The text is very short and calm, so it reads aloud easily and fits naturally into a bedtime routine. Many parents also see it as a natural step from repetitive sound books to a book with a small story arc: a beginning, a little problem and a reassuring ending.

Things to consider

Some parents mention that the cloud scene makes very young babies anxious or teary until the moon reappears, so it can help to read that page softly. Others note that the story is so simple that many children move on by around age 3. The standard edition has thin pages rather than board pages; for babies who still chew or tear books, the 2024 board-book edition is sturdier.

Recommended age

Publisher states: 読んであげるなら 0才から
NIPIKO Books suggests: 0–3 yrs

Publisher's label: 「読んであげるなら０才から」 (to be read aloud from age 0). NIPIKO Books's suggestion: best from birth to about 3. Babies under one enjoy the colours and the moon's face; one- and two-year-olds begin to greet, imitate and follow the tiny story.

Reading-together ideas

Slow down on 'konbanwa' and bow together; before long your child may start the greeting on their own.
Read the cloud page quietly, wonder aloud where the moon went, and celebrate together when it comes back.
On a clear evening, look for the real moon from a window and say good evening to it, just like in the book.

NIPIKO Books editorial assessment

NIPIKO Books's recommendation

NIPIKO Books sees this as one of the most dependable first picture books, especially for families building a bedtime reading routine. It suits babies from birth to around 3, and it is easy to read aloud for parents who are still getting comfortable with Japanese, thanks to its very short text. If your little one still mouths books, consider the board-book edition.