The Secret Science of Goodnight Moon: More Than Just a Bedtime Story

For generations of families, Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon has been the ultimate signal that the day is done. Its rhythmic, repetitive text is designed to soothe children. We recently learned  that this childhood staple has a superpower many of us never realized.

A patron at Post Road Library shared that after her mother lost her hearing, she underwent cochlear implant surgery. To navigate the challenging process of relearning how to hear and speak, she chose a nostalgic classic as her primary textbook: Goodnight Moon.

Why? Because this simple story contains nearly every phoneme (the distinct units of sound) in the English language.

The Librarian’s Deep Dive: 

Inspired by this story, I did some digging. It turns out this isn't just a library legend! My research led me to a fascinating phonological map created by a linguist at the University of Michigan named John Lawler.

While the original website had vanished from the live internet, I was able to “time travel” to find it. By using the Wayback Machine, a digital archive of the internet, I recovered the data that confirms how the specific word choices in the book cover the vast spectrum of English sounds. The map can be found here. 

This discovery highlights two things we love at FCPL:

The Versatility of our Collection

A book in our Children’s Department is not just for children; it can be a vital tool for an adult navigating a medical recovery, or even learning a new language!

Digital Literacy

Finding archived information like the phonological map is exactly what our staff loves to help with.

Margaret Wise Brown is also the author of many other children’s books that we have available for you to check out right here at FCPL! Browse through our collection of Margaret Wise Brown’s books here.

If you are looking for a specific resource that seems to have disappeared from the internet, or if you're interested in learning how to use tools like the Wayback Machine on our Public Access Computers (PACs), just ask! Whether it's for speech practice, research, or nostalgia, we’re always here to help you find the right words.

Kara Nitschke Tessendorf

Youth Specialist 

Post Road Library

Upcoming: An Interactive Q&A with Children's Authors and Illustrators!

Are you writing or illustrating a book for children? Looking for inspiration or help in getting started? Look no further than the Sharon Forks Library! Seven kidlit authors and illustrators will be joining us for Paths to Publication: SCBWI Kidlit Panel on Saturday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m.

This event is sponsored by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Southern Breeze Chapter.

Panelists:

Robyn Field is an award-winning author and poet. Her debut middle grade novel, Peony Watercolor's Wish for Sun and Moon (2024, Owl's Next Publishers), is a Moonbeam Children's Book Awards gold medalist in pre-teen fantasy. Her next book, Accidentally Famous, releases in 2027 from Owl's Nest Publishers. Robyn is also a 2017 Writer's Digest award winner and a 2019 Pitch Wars alumna. She lives in Georgia with her husband and three boys. Visit her online at www.robynfieldauthor.com.

Stacy S. Jensen is a children’s book author with a passion for history, research, and exploring new topics like she did as a newspaper journalist. Her debut picture book Before I Lived Here (2025, Neal Porter Books) was written while she lived in Colorado—inspired by her neighborhood. She now lives in Georgia with her family. Visit her online at www.stacysjensen.com.

Shanda McCloskey is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s picture books and graphic novels that are often about following your light, whether that be robots, punk music, or even letter writing! She is currently working on her first chapter book graphic novel series, Punk Rock (2026, Abrams Fanfare), with her husband/co-writer Ben, and lives in a little blue house with her family in Ball Ground, Georgia. Visit her online at www.shandamc.com.

T.K. Read is an attorney by day, writer by night, mom, wife, and super-hero-wannabe always. The first book in her award-winning middle grade series, Ranger Nader and the Sunstruck Phantom, written under the pen name “Kam Karem,” was a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards and The Independent Author Network Book Awards, and won its category in The International Book Awards. A strong believer in literacy, T.K. also co-founded The Conyers Book Festival along with the owner of her local indie bookstore. When she’s not outside getting in her steps, lost in one of her favorite authors’ fantasy worlds, or representing her clients, you can find her online at www.tkread.com.

Moniquea S.Willingham is the author of Madison's Talent. She has spent over 18 years serving in the educational field, including both domestic and international school settings supporting students and their teachers. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University and a Masters of Science degree in Educational Leadership obtained from Georgia State University. In her leisure time, Moniquea enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling the world. She currently resides in Marietta, Georgia. Find her at her Amazon author page.

Taylor Woolley is author and illustrator of Earth Rover and illustrator of Birthday Bash by Blair Northen Williamson. Armed with a sketchbook full of wild ideas, Taylor's stories are guaranteed to make readers giggle, gasp, and cheer. When she’s not sketching or writing, you’ll likely find her hanging at home with her husband and their young daughter, or pausing mid-hike to admire a particularly excellent frog. Represented by Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency, Taylor has published traditionally as an author and illustrator and has also worked with self-published authors as an illustrator and designer. Visit her online at www.woolleystories.com.

As a freelance writer, Kim Zachman published more than 130 articles, essays, and reviews, but her real passion was children’s books. For seven years, Kim worked as a field support representative for Scholastic Book Fairs. Being immersed in the world of Kidlit helped her achieve her goal of becoming a children’s author. Her first book There's No Ham in Hamburgers: Facts and Folklore About Our Favorite Foods released in April 2021. There's No Cream in Cream Soda followed in July 2023. A mother of two, Kim lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband and their almost perfect dog. Visit her online at www.kimzachman.com.

Event image credit: Amanda Fletcher

Brianna
Information Specialist