Young Readers Pick: Night Animals

Night Animals

by Gianna Marino

Viking

2015

32 pages

ISBN: 9780451469540

 

Cover art reveals a wary possum who seems to be on edge.  His frightened eyes, his ears pulled straight back, his arms stiff with a spooked expression say it all. Possum is scared. The print of the title is spooky with a zombie-esque font. Inside is ink black with sets of eyes peering into the night. The title page features possum and skunk peering out into a black forest.

Skunk comes across possum who's hiding from "night animals." He's afraid of what's out there in the dark making creepy noises. Along comes a equally frightened wolf who's running from something big. The bear who is following the wolf is also on the run from something "HUGE." The four animals continue to creep each other out until they realize they are running from a bat's shadow. They admit they are afraid of night animals, but the bat assures them that they ARE night animals. When the animals come into contact with humans sleeping in a tent, everyone, animals and humans, scares each other. Just when you think the story's over, possum even quits "playing possum," they hear a weird sound and get scared all over again.

Refreshing and captivating illustrations and the cute friendship between skunk and possum will have young readers enthralled. This is a great keeper of a book. It is  a good read for a child with night fears, helping to show that sounds in the night are just animals. Even the animals may be afraid of each other and humans! The character of Possum is hysterical--he is memorable and dramatic.

Highly, highly recommended as a bedtime, night time or camping story. I heart Night Animals.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Young Reader Pick: Nightsong

Nightsong
By Ari Berk
Loren Long, Illustrator
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2012
48 pages

This little gem will leave young readers delighted and in love with the unlikeliest of creatures: bats!

Chiro is a young bat about to embark on his first solo flight at night. His mother tells him to sing a song to the world and the world will answer; this explains how the bat is able to “see” at night. Chiro is to visit the pond nearby and eat his breakfast and then fly back home.

Chiro realizes when he sings his song, he is able to “see” the shapes of trees in the pitch black. He sees birds overhead and reaches the pond where he eats. He wonders what else is out there? What is there to see beyond the pond? He flies until dawn and returns safely home to his mother’s love.

Beautifully illustrated in graphite and acrylic, Loren Long captures the youthful exuberance of Chiro, his bat-ears huge in the dark night. On one two page spread, Chiro is shown close up—his eyes are almost doe-like, his mouth a surprised little “O”. Children will love Chiro and his journey.

The book explains where Chiro’s name comes from. It’s from the Greek word chiroptera meaning “hand wing.” Further, it explains that bats are the only mammal that can fly.

Highly, highly recommended for young readers and anyone who loves beautiful artwork. This is a picture book that can be studied for the art alone.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)