Love it or hate it or even if you have never heard of it, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a certifiable publishing phenomenon. Such a phenomenon, in fact, that one need not even preface that assertion with the disclaimer, “for a work of children’s literature.” The small, colorful book is by this point as much a necessity for new parents as Dr. Spock was at one time and Dr. Seuss has and forever will be. What could possibly account for its almost semi-mystical appeal across generations, skin color, economic status and intellectual levels of its demographic? Simplicity itself.
No, that’s not the answer although it does fit. The reason why Goodnight Moon prevails and persists even in the age of parody, ironic and vicious satire is the very same reason why the Old Testament has always been one of the best-selling books of all time. Ever read the story of Adam and Eve? Or Noah and the flood? Or Moses and the Ten Commandments? If not, spare yourself about ten minutes and give it a go. You can literally get through all those famous stories from the Bible in ten minutes if you are even a slightly below average reader. Why? Because the authors (whomever they may be) were notoriously skimpy on the details and left interpretation where it should be: the readers.
Same goes with Goodnight Moon. It is a story that moves fast, gains power through repetition and presents the big picture while leaving it to the reader to fill in the gaps. Gaps such as what it all means, why does the telephone not warrant a goodnight, who is that woman who sits in the chair and cries “hush.” In concert with the accompanying illustrations, it is also a book that—like many stories in the Old Testament—reveal secrets and hidden messages only upon further reading—which, all things considered, makes perfect sense. After all, what parent can truly and honestly look the world in the eye and testify that they have only read Goodnight Moon once?
Writers who pack in as many words as possible to tell their story and delineate every detail down to the most excruciating details (think Charles Dickens) generally don’t share the same ability to cross over lines and connect with readers searching for meaning in their interpretation like Brown does with Goodnight Moon. The wise writer (and, yes, Dickens is that though for much different reasons) knows the value of withholding meaning and not attempting to explain everything and answer every question.
