Night of the Moonjellies

Night of the Moonjellies is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Mark Shasha. It was first published in 1992 by Simon & Schuster and has been reprinted in several editions, including a 2007 reissue by Purple House Press.

Overview

The book was inspired by the author's memories of working at his grandmother's hot dog stand by the sea in New London, Connecticut, during the 1970s. The story follows a seven-year-old boy named Mark who spends a busy day helping his grandmother ("Gram") at her seaside hot dog stand. After the last customer is served and the grill is cleaned, Mark sails off with Gram for a promised surprise: a nighttime sea full of shimmering, bioluminescent creatures called "moonjellies."

The Moonjellies

The creatures featured in the book are based on a real marine animal found in the North Atlantic. Commonly known as comb jellies or sea gooseberries, these animals are capable of bioluminescence. Their scientific classification is Ctenophora (pronounced "tee-ne-for"), and they are distinct from true jellyfish (Cnidaria).

Awards and Recognition

The book won the Marion Vannett Ridgway Award. In its review, Smithsonian Magazine stated that the book "was sure to become a classic." The New York Times described Shasha's artwork as evoking "the pre-Raphaelites" with "windows full of detail." The book is featured in several educational programs, including the Five in a Row curriculum.

Artwork and Exhibitions

Mark Shasha's original artwork from Night of the Moonjellies has been exhibited in several museums and galleries since 1992, including the Lyman Allyn Museum of Art in New London, Connecticut, and the Marblehead Museum in Massachusetts.

Adaptations

Singer-songwriter Steve Elci has expressed interest in creating a musical score should the book ever be adapted into a film.

Publication Details