Moon Phases

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and seen a big, round cookie floating there. Sometimes, it looks like someone took a little bite. Then another bite, and another. Soon, I look just like a smiling banana hanging in the dark. It’s my favorite game to play. I love to change a little bit every night, playing hide-and-seek with my light. I am the Moon's special dance. You can call me the Moon Phases. It is so much fun to show you a different face each time you look up.

Even when I look like a tiny sliver, the Moon is always a big, round ball. It just loves to dance in a big circle around your home, the Earth. The super bright Sun acts like a big flashlight, shining its light on the Moon. As the Moon twirls and spins, you get to see different shiny parts. When I am all dark and hiding, that is called the New Moon. When I show just a little bright smile, I am a Crescent Moon. And when I am a big, glowing circle, I am a Full Moon, shining for everyone to see.

For a long, long time, people have watched me dance in the sky. Way before there were calendars hanging on the wall, people looked at me to know what time of the month it was. They knew when it was time to plant little seeds in the ground to grow yummy food. They knew when to have big, happy parties and celebrations. I was their special calendar in the sky. So next time you look up, wave hello. I'll be there, changing a little every night, lighting up your world and showing you how beautiful every change can be.