The Sunset Switch
PreSchool-Grade 2-As the sun slowly "slips from the sky," one set of animals settles down to sleep, and another group wakes to begin the search for food. Six pairs of creatures illustrate the change. For example, the swallow returns to its nest after a day of chasing mosquitoes, while the bat awakens to begin the insect pursuit. The snowy egret settles down to rest after "stalking the swamp for fish and frogs," while the night heron heads out to seek its breakfast. Kudlinski's exploration of the transition from day to night works well on several levels. Bidding various animals good night has obvious bedtime appeal for the youngest listeners. Older children might want to learn more about the creatures named in the text and featured prominently in the double-page paintings. The gouache illustrations provide plenty of visual appeal. Burnett even incorporates the opposite critter of the daytime/nighttime pair in the corresponding scene of its "partner." Borders showing the plants and animals that serve as the food source for each species surround the pictures. This attention to detail rewards repeated viewing and can keep older readers occupied while younger ones concentrate on bedtime basics.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, MankatoCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.