NOBODY OWNS THE MOON

First published in Australia in 2008, the story of a fox who successfully makes a life in the city.

The fox goes by the name of Clive Prendergast and leads a quiet, understated life. He fits in by using a name that can be pronounced (only foxes can say his real name) and being “quick-witted…and able to eat a variety of foods.” By day, he works on an assembly line. By night, he explores the city and enjoys the “interesting goings-on.” He has one or two friends; the one he sees the most is Humphrey, a donkey. Humphrey often has no fixed address and has difficulty keeping a job. Riddle describes the friendship between Clive and Humphrey as one of tranquil acceptance. One day, Humphrey invites Clive to the premiere of the play Nobody Owns the Moon. After a wonderful evening out, the friends agree, “This is our town!” and they part with a big hug. There is a lovely gentleness to the whole narration that readers will find very appealing. Riddle’s artwork weaves together painting and drawings with collage, often incorporating photographs; evident in the illustrations but unremarked in the text, Clive and Humphrey are the only animals in the city mostly inhabited by White humans. Respectful of children’s intelligence, the book presents topics such as friendship, acceptance, belonging, and otherness that will challenge them to think further.

A gentle, understated story that invites reflection.