The Night Is for Darkness

PreS-Gr 1–The night can be frightening for young children. This sweet book helps them to realize that it is also full of beautiful surprises. The story follows two children and their father driving away from their house at night. With the help of car headlights and the full moon, the brother and sister are amazed at what they see. Deer are along the side of the road and hares are bouncing through the tall grass. A long and winding path through a forest is perfect for searching for animals of the night. The light shows squirrels climbing trees, mice and rabbits scurrying on the ground, and owls. The children see nature using other sources of illumination—lightning and fireflies light up the dark sky. The long, dark journey ends at their new house where their mother is waiting for them with open arms. This calming story for young readers has a soothing rhythm and flows easily. The illustrations are a perfect fit, with the dark background bringing the moonlit objects to the forefront to capture readers’ attention. The information about nocturnal animals will help pique the interest of young listeners.