Diane de Anda

Calming and magical, these pages explore the wonders of nighttime life.

The entire family is asleep, but a young girl gazes at the jasmine vines growing outside her window. Careful not to make any noise, she tiptoes through the house, down the stairs, and peers out of the window to watch what happens under the moonlight.

The mix of rhymed text and beautiful illustrations creates a dreamy atmosphere. Each page accompanies the girl on her small journey, which carries a hint of imagination while never leaving reality. From the creaking floorboards under her bare feet to the deep ticking of a clock, the imagery nudges the senses with vivid familiarity. The illustrations hold darker hues and subtle tones, while details balance with flowing artistry to add a dreamy flair. These are lovely and invite readers to revisit each scene. The text flows almost as smoothly, staying in a similar inviting style to create a calming, bedtime read.

While this invitation to dreams weaves its magic, the pages also expose various animals and their basic, nightly activities. From racoons to possums and more, readers learn about the nocturnal side of nature. These creatures are, then, revisited at the end of the book, where short summaries give a little more depth into each one.

This is a beautifully illustrated book, which captures the nighttime atmosphere in just the right way for a bedtime read, while incorporating a little bit of knowledge along the way.
I received a DRC and was taken in by the atmosphere.… (meer)

A great story about a family torn apart from deportation. The dad in the story is deported from his home and family. The little girl copes through her mother getting a second job and not being able to pick them up from school. They eventually have to move out of their family home because the mother cannot afford it by herself. In the end, she finds comfort in the mango moon as her dad might be looking at the same mango moon.
This story had charming illustrations with bright colors, even though the overall mood of the story was sad. It is a great story to have on your bookshelf and to read to your students as some students struggle through these issues at home and are very relevant in today's classrooms.… (meer)