WHEN NIGHT COMES CALLING

A nocturnal adventure opens a child’s eyes to wonders in the dark.

An excited child awakens a younger brother for a walk under the full moon. The young narrator points out the night sky and various phenomena and encourages the little one to listen for night creatures: wolves, loons, a barred owl, crickets, frogs. The duo spy many animals, from skunks and bats to fireflies and a luna moth. The protagonist’s care for the young boy is both evident and sweet; the narrator ensures he’s dressed properly, holds his hand, eases any fears he might have about the dark woods, offers warnings about rocks and roots, and carries him when he gets tired. The rhyming verses are hit or miss in terms of rhythm (“We’ll explore in the dark. / No flashlights tonight. / Our night-vision hike / needs only moonlight”), and several poetic lines glaringly drop the young protagonist’s voice. Murray captures the night well with subdued but glowing colors. Hashed lines in the illustrations add marvelous texture. The older sibling has light skin, freckles, and reddish hair; little brother has light brown skin and black hair in tight curls. Backmatter provides further info about light pollution and the creatures and night-sky sights from the text.

Readers are sure to want a night hike of their own…perhaps with a beloved sibling.