The Princess and the Moon by Geraldine McCaughrean illustrated by Brian Wildsmith

When the Great Rabbit carries the ill-tempered Sophie off to the moon she comes to understand that to be treated like a princess 

she must look for the best in other people and herself.

I discovered this book, which is from 1991, in a school library. The Teacher-Librarian has decided this book no longer fits her collection or the reading interests of her very young students and I totally agree. BUT this book is illustrated by the wonderful Brian Wildsmith so I just had to bring it home to read.

So I am only talking about this book because I love the art - I don't think I would have ever shared this book with a young reading companion or any group in my school library. As Kirkus say:

An unabashedly didactic story by the Japanese author of The Cherry Tree (p. 466), with a heavy-handed message made remarkably palatable by English adaptor Geraldine McCaughrean's lyrical text and Wildsmith's gorgeous illustrations. ... Dutifully accepting the lesson, the child returns to earth ready to smile and be kind. The reformation may be too easy, but the point is still valid; and no one should forgo Wildsmith's delectable art with its delicately glowing colors and wonderfully imaginative juxtapositions of harmonious images.

Here is the blurb if you are curious:

Sophie, a bad-tempered and unhappy child, changes her view of the world when the Great Moon Rabbit carries her to the moon, where she learns to look for the good in people and thereby feel happier herself.

The Japanese author of The Princess and the Moon is Daisaku Ikeda. Daisaku Ikeda was a Buddhist philosopher, peacebuilder, educator, author and poet. He was the third president of the Soka Gakkai lay Buddhist organization and the founding president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), which is today one of the world's largest and most diverse lay Buddhist organizations, promoting a philosophy of character development and social engagement for peace. ... Ikeda was a prolific writer who has published more than 100 works, ranging from Buddhist philosophy to biographical essays, poetry, children's stories and photographic collections.

Now for the art (images source Brian Wildsmith)