What the H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS is As Night Falls: Creatures That Go Wild After Dark?
When I saw the cover and title, I was thinking it was a book about going to bed as the world around you wakes up. And it is that. Somewhat. It is how the little
creatures go crazy and eat other things. And jump around. And basically, have a wild rumpus gone way wild. It is about the larger animals doing the same thing. And I was okay with Felicita Sala illustrating the story done by Donna Jo Napoli. That is until the tiger.
The tiger is trying to eat the smaller animal, which in turns tries to eat another and so forth. At one point there is an owl with a cat tail in its mouth. The next page is all the animals inside the tiger. I mean I thought the spider with the fish face was odd enough (turns out the spider is eating the fish. I think.) The science information and part of the story was fun and good. It is just how the abstractness of the illustrations ruin that for me.
Sure, the colors are bold, and bright. The details are minimal but (at least at first) cozy. The start of the book was great. The darkness falling and the stars and that black-blue-blackness of nighttime was comforting. Then that freaking tiger.
The illustrations took away from the ending big time. In fact, to the point of distraction and I missed the “since animals do it don’t be surprised if you do all the crazy things too before bed” part of the story. You will want one more romp, jump, etc., too.
You need to read this book to find out if it is for you or your child. I cannot pinpoint an exact age range as some kids will have no issue with the images and the flow of the story, while others will be less than thrilled. It is an experience that not everyone will be grateful for having taken.
