WHAT HOLDS UP THE MOON? Simmie, Lois. Illustrated by Anne Simmie. Regina, Coteau Books, 1987. unpaged, paper, ISBN 0-919926-71-1 (cloth) $13.95. 0-919926-70-3 (paper) $6.95. Distributed by Coteau Books, Box 239, Sub #1. Moose Jaw, Sask. S6H 5V0. CIP Grades 1 to 3 Reviewed by Barbara Egerer Volume 16 Number 4 1988 July What Holds up the Moon? is the third book Lois and Anne Simmie have collaborated on. Their other publications are Auntie's Knitting a Baby* and An Armadillo is Not a Pillow (Western Producer Prairie Books, 1986). Roberta Muldoon's question, "what holds up the moon?" brings a different answer from everyone and everything she asks: "Nails." says the carpenter; "Stitches," says the doctor; "Spray," says the hair-stylist. The answers tell her more about some of the people and other elements of her world. Many of the drawings in the story are like cross-hatching done with pencil crayon and perhaps even pastels. On first appearance, they seem vague and washed-out but upon more detailed study they are full, rich and detailed in colour and content. The story's ending seems to follow a predictable pattern. Although Roberta receives many valid answers to her question, she is not satisfied, so she decides that although she still doesn't know who holds up the moon, she's "sure not the only one!" This simple story is sure to appeal to children who are often fascinated by the moon. Children will enjoy finding the moon throughout the book. Lois Simmie lives in Saskatoon where she is writer-in-residence at the Frances Morrison Public Library. She is working on a new collection of stories, as well as new works for children, including Oliver's Chicken, which is being published in 1988 by Coteau Books. Children aged two to six, as well as the adult who reads to a child, will enjoy this fantasy about the moon. Barbara Egerer, York Region Separate School Board. Richmond Hill, Ont *Reviewed vol. XIII/5 September 1985 p. 223.