IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT
by Paul Stewart and illustrated by Tim Vyner
In a picture-book departure from his usual fantasy novels, Stewart (The Edge Chronicles, etc.) has crafted an uninspiring coming-of-age tale about a wolf cub. When Cub-of-Mine cannot sleep, Papa Wolf knows it is time to introduce him to the ways of the adult wolves—the way of the night. Through the dark forest they travel, the Papa Wolf constantly reassuring his youngster in the face of his nighttime fears, the cub wondering if he really is big enough. Reaching Singing Rock just in time for moonrise, Papa Wolf encourages Cub-of-Mine to look into his heart and sing the song he finds there—the song that is in every wolf. And when they return to the den, Cub-of-Mine knows that he is big enough. Vyner’s watercolors fill the pages with mottled, muted color, reflecting the dark setting. His paintings vary in the degree of detail, unable to overcome the limitations of their nighttime palette. The slow pace, inconsistent illustrations and obscure concepts combine to make this one to miss. (Picture book. 5-7)