On a Summer Night

by Deborah Hopkinson, Kenard Pak (Illustrator)

Step into the quiet magic of this celebration of summer nighttime and the mystery of a world lit differently by the moon.

On a summer night, the world is still. Even the crickets think it’s too hot to sing. But all at once, a girl wakes. In the kitchen, the cat rolls onto its soft paws. A neighbor’s small white dog yaps, a brown rabbit peeks from a hedge, and the leaves of a cherry tree begin to stir in the breeze. Readers witness and Who has woken them all? In this soothing bedtime story, the quiet of a warm summer night is brought to vivid, magical life with the soft steps of bare feet, the padding of paws, and the bright, golden light of the moon. One by one, each creature is roused and then gently returned to sleep in a lovely and lyrical exploration of wakefulness, restfulness, and the mysterious calm of the night.

PERFECT FOR BEDTIME . . . OR This beautifully illustrated children's book is ideal for soothing young readers to sleep—or encouraging a contemplative break in an energetic day. The story’s engagement with the wonders of nighttime will help children feel comforted by the dark and the prospect of going to sleep rather than afraid of them.

READ-ALOUD With its lyricism and short refrains, this gentle story is just right for sharing.

CONNECTION TO This magical book gradually reveals the moon as a character as it wakes girl, cat, dog, rabbit, tree, air, and cloud in turn—and connects them to one another through the welcoming quiet and wonder of a world gilded by moonlight.

THE POWER OF SLOWING Picture books are often wonderful excuses to slow down and share a moment of gentleness in kids' (and parents') busy lives; this book feels like a deep breath and offers a chance to wonder and reflect.

Perfect
Genres
Picture Books
Childrens
Animals
Cats
Poetry
Storytime
Nature
56 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2024

This edition
Format	
56 pages, Hardcover
Published	
May 14, 2024 by Chronicle Books
ISBN	
9781797200132 (ISBN10: 1797200135)
ASIN	
1797200135
Language	
English