One Dark Night
PreS-Gr 2-As a thunderstorm approaches, Jonathan looks out his window and observes a stray cat. Believing that the animal is afraid of the storm, he runs downstairs to let her in. The feline dashes in, deposits a kitten on the rug, and darts back into the rain. While Jonathan and his grandparents worry about caring for the little creature, the mother cat returns twice more with her babies before settling down for the night. The heart of this story is its illustrations, created by the manipulation of oil-paint glazes. Hartung's blotting technique provides contrast between a complex detailed background and the simple drawings of people and animals in the foreground. This contrast and the opposition of the dark night and the well-lit house reduce any fear children might have about the storm. Hutchins combines familiar elements with the mood created by the art to craft a pleasant story that will appeal to young readers. Children will share Jonathan's concern for the cats and will take comfort in the story's resolution. A wonderful read-aloud selection.Shara Alpern, Chappaqua Public Library, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.