Annie and her cat Moon are the very best of friends. They have been through a lot together.

Before they met Annie lived with her mum and dad in the country. But when it was only Annie and her mum, they moved into town. This is when Annie’s mum brought home the wonderful surprise – a tiny black kitten.

“I think I’ll call him Moon,” said Annie, “because he’s as black as a black, black night with no moon.”

Since the house was new to Annie, she understood Moon’s fears in being in a new place. She keeps close to her new furry friend to help him feel at home. But they had to move again, this time to a family member’s house. Then, again to a friend’s home and finally to Annie’s Grandma’s house.

Moon and Annie stick side by side, helping each other with the changes in their lives. This last move is the most challenging as Grandma has her own furry friend – a big dog named Brutus, who doesn’t like cats!

Will Annie & Moon find somewhere they can finally call home?

Winner of the Picture Book of the Year Award in 1989, this edition of Annie & Moon is now bilingual – English / Maori.

With text on the left page and full colour illustrations on the right, we follow Annie and her Mum, then black kitten Moon, from house to house in their search for a home.

Beautiful illustrations portray all kinds of kiwi living – from three storied weatherboard flats, to a corrugated iron roofed home and an old villa bursting with people. Moving is a part of life for many, and a pet helps sooth those disruptions ad insecurity. Moon is out of sorts too however, and his importance to Annie especially, is clear on the page.

I particularly love one of the last illustrations – full of joy, hope and love.

Author – Miriam Smith

Illustrator – Lesley Moyes

Translator – A T Mahuika

Picture Book

(1989, 2023, Penguin NZ, Republished, Award Winner, New Zealand, Kiwi Author, NZ Illustrator, Bilingual, te reo, Maori, Moving house, New homes, Change, Insecurity, Kitten, Cat, Pet, Furry friend, Animal, Family)