In the Night Garden by Carin Berger (review)
2023; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 76; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2023.a900333
ISSN1558-6766
Tópico(s)Night-time city culture
ResumoReviewed by: In the Night Garden by Carin Berger Danica Ronquillo Berger, Carin In the Night Garden; written and illus. by Carin Berger. Porter/Holiday House, 2023 [40p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780823449866 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780823455379 $11.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 4-7 yrs There are many wondrous things to see in the night garden: a lone black cat treads across the rooftop, a group of fireflies sparkles like stars, and "moonflowers unfurl and release their intoxicating perfume." There are unknown sounds in the distance, but an unseen narrator reassures the reader that there is no need to fear: it may be a mother fox and her cubs hurrying home in the snow or the wind rustling through the bare branches of the trees. If one closes their eyes and listens closely, the sounds of nature will guide them back home and lull them to sleep. Berger's abstract paper collage captures the whimsy ambiance of nighttime spaces within sequential double-page spreads, inviting young readers to follow a black cat as they see peculiar punch-holed lizards and dazzling warm hues of a harvest moon. Deep, saturated colors and smooth textures emphasize layered grass, leaves, and flowers coming to life while movement across the dark sky is notable with gliding gradient bats and a surrealistic shooting star with a cat's face. The use of shape shows variety throughout the book from a house geometrically formed with rectangular ticket stubs to organic lines complementing the soothing pace of the text, like singing crickets depicted with curvy music sheets or bubbles in a slow-moving stream with discarded lined paper. This would make a calming bedtime tale that will have little ones' eyes gleaming with delight while observing the serene magic of the night. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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