Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
Night Animals
Written and Illustrated by Gianna Marino
Viking Books for Young Readers, July 2015
Suitable for: ages 3-5
Theme/Topic: Night, Fear, Nocturnal Animals.
Opening Spread: Skunk speech bubble: Hey Possum, what are you doing in there?
Possum: Shhhhhh! I’m hiding.
Brief Synopsis: From Gianna Marino’s website: Something’s out there in the dark!
First Possum hears it. Then Skunk. Then Wolf comes running.
“What could it possibly be?” asks Bat.
“Night Animals!” the animals declare.
“But you are night animals,” Bat informs this not-so-smart crew.
Children will love the funny animals in this twist on a cozy
bedtime book.
Resources: Here’s a lesson plan from a PBS program about nocturnal animals. Who’s Awake at Night activities. Due to the final scene, parents, who like to camp, may want to talk about being among wild animals and how to react to them.
Why I Like This Book: It’s dark! Not in a film noir kind of way, but in a night kind of way. The animals against the black background really sets the tone for a “night animal” book. I love the comedic timing of the story and art. This book proves that night animals aren’t really scary. They are hilarious! Skunk and Possum made me swoon with laugher.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
I’m loving the PPBF recommendations. We received several books from last week’s list and enjoyed them. Thank you for sharing.
Last week, we drove to Denver to hear Penny Parker Klostermann read There Was An Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight.
Since we already had a copy of Penny’s book, we donated our unsigned copy to Enzo’s school library. When I told Enzo I gave it to the librarian, he said, “I hope a kid picked it.” He wants it to be checked out soon!
Penny’s book is a great read aloud at home and really shines in a group setting, as we were all chiming in at Penny’s direction!
We liked NIGHT ANIMALS and the way the dialogue balloons “popped” against the dark sky (no pun intended). So glad you got to connect with Penny during her book tour!
It’s a really sparse text with a lot of pop on many levels. Yes. We were happy to see Penny again.
This looks fun! definitely putting it on my reading list!
Hope you like it Sue.
Hi Stacy! I decided this morning that I really miss making the Perfect Picture Book Friday rounds. I have been so busy that I have not been good about reading the recommendations, so I made up my mind to check out some of the posts today. And here I am mentioned on your post! Thanks so much! It was wonderful seeing you and I loved that you were a part of my day. I also think I’m going to love your selection. I have been wanting to read this. My library doesn’t have it yet but I’m requesting it for purchase.
Happy Friday!
Glad you stopped by Penny. I couldn’t resist sharing few pictures.
I really like the cover. I know my kids were always fascinated with night animals and I bet my students will be too. Going to look for this one!
I hope you like it. The art with the skunk and its reaction make my kiddo giggle. Lots of humor in this book.
I knew it wouldn’t be long before you picked this to post! It really is a lot of fun!
I know. I’m so predictable. 🙂
I love night animals also…in books, that is. 🙂
What a smart idea for a book…I’m sure it will help alleviate the fear of the dark that many kids have. Whenever you can get them laughing about a fear, it is a good thing.
And lucky you to get to see Penny Parker Klostermann AND Ana Crespo…what fun, Stacy! Whose idea was it anyway for me to move away from Colorado? Oh yeah, it was mine. 🙂 But I’m going to get to see you at the Wild West Chicago SCBWI in April, I think…and I’ll get to see Ana at WOW in July…so I’m happy about that.
Yes. You will be reunited with your Colorado peeps in 2016!
I used my B&N coupon already, but this may warrant a bit more spending to study the comedic timing. Thanks for sharing this one. 🙂
Hope you enjoy it Wendy.
I just ordered Night Animals from my library. It looks very cute. I do love Penny’s book. It must have been fun to see her read it. Thanks for the post.
It was wonderful to hear Penny read her book. She added audience participation … which I don’t always think about as a writer or as a parent reader (because I’m typically reading before bedtime).
I just ordered Night Animals from my library. It looks very cute. I do love Penny’s book. It must have been fun to see her read it. Thanks for the post.
Hi I’m a night animal. I get this. I also have scary childhood stories about rats… I love that Enzo was so generous about your donated book. You are raising a beautiful young person <3
I’ve been a night animal recently Sue! Rats! that’s another story! I’m trying to do my best. 🙂
Another great choice. Such an engaging book for kids who are curious about nocturnal animals. We seem to have a lot of deer and skunks at night.
So happy you got to meet Penny and get your book signed. Didn’t realize there was a stuffed dragon too!