Goodnight Moon Stamps to be Unveiled for Children's Book Week

The U.S. Postal Service will unveil its new Goodnight Moon stamps on May 2 as part of an event leading up to Children’s Book Week (May 5-11). 

Published by Harper & Brothers in 1947, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (1910–1952) began its rise in popularity in the 1950s, in large part due to word of mouth among parents. It is among the bestselling children's books of all time.

Goodnight Moon enables children to imagine themselves in the cozy bedroom of a young bunny, saying good night to everything they see. The quiet, lullaby-like text also encourages children to look around their own rooms and, together with their parents, improvise on the comforting ritual in any way they would like.

“In the great green room,” it begins, “There was a telephone / And a red balloon.” The lilting, hypnotic rhythm of the text reassures children that all the familiar things of daily life will still be there in the morning. “Goodnight clocks / And goodnight socks,” the book continues. “Goodnight little house / And goodnight mouse.” 

The illustrations created by Clement Hurd (1908–1988) alternate between panoramic views of the vibrantly colored bedroom and black and white close-ups of particular objects. At first brightly lit, the scene grows gradually darker, echoing slumber's slow descent.

Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the pane using Clement Hurd’s illustrations. As Forever stamps, the Goodnight Moon stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one ounce price.

The unveiling will take place at The Rabbit hOle in North Kansas City, MO, a new museum experience celebrating American children’s literature for visitors of all ages. Thacher Hurd, children's book creator and the son of Goodnight Moon illustrator Clement Hurd will be one of the special guests at the unveiling, sharing memories of his father and Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown, as well as reading the book aloud.