"In a stunning debut, Melmed combines standard fairy tale devices (a wish granted by magic; a series of trials to prove worthiness; virtue rewarded, etc.) in a wholly original story featuring the most fetching cast of little ones since the Dionne quintuplets. Melmed's writing is flawless..." --- Publisher's Weekly The moon presents a childless couple with twelve tiny babies, which they care for with tenderness and love. In the end they are rewarded with their hearts desire - a real child to cherish forever. Jim LaMarche is an award-winning illustrator of many beloved books, including The Rainbabies, which earned him international acclaim. His illustrations "indicate a deep kind of thinking about illustration in children's books," said the New York Times. He also illustrated The Carousel and Albert, which were both named New York Times Best Illustrated Books. He lives with his family in Santa Cruz, California.
