Available April 11,2023
This is one of those children's books that appears amazingly simple on the surface. When you look again, really look, however, you'll realize how much thought and effort went into crafting both the story and illustrations. True, living in Alaska, land of the summertime midnight sun, I had to chuckle thinking that this wouldn't work here, that slow buildup to the inevitable dark, well, unless your bedtime is in the wee hours of the morning. Even then it doesn't get that dark. That aside, I enjoyed the depth of this book.
The words are a rhythmic, repetitive read, designed to soothe and prepare the child to relax and sleep. Yet, ironically, throughout most of the book, each page ends with the caution not to go to sleep yet. Why? Well, if you've ever had a child determined to do exactly the opposite of what is asked, it makes sense. The dreamlike illustrations are lulling them in, however, as the setting moves from wide-open daylight settings to the growing darkness of the day with the world about them slowing to a slowly relaxing pace.
I particularly liked how the artist tied it all together with not just the repetition of rhythm and words but with reappearing motifs, such as the deer and cat. The illustrator even manages to create a sense of floating as the stars appear, finally signaling it's time to sleep. The subtle use of not just the words but colors, lines, and repetition is excellently handled. Reading the book aloud, I couldn't help but smile. Thanks #NetGalley and #OrcaBookPublishing for letting me share this dreamy world between wakefulness and sleep. Lovely book.
No comments:
Post a Comment