Night Lights
A young girl, a woman (presumably her mother), and their dog go through their evening activities as night falls: arriving home, cooking out in the backyard, reading before bed, brushing teeth, and finally going to sleep. Throughout their routine, an array of lights shine bright to accompany them: a street light, porch light, reading light, night light, and, finally, moonlight and starlight. The litany closes with a comforting “good night.” The names of the lights are the only text; it’s up to the appropriately dark illustrations to show the action. This snapshot of one calm evening spent among human and canine friends is appealing; what child wouldn’t enjoy grilling on the back porch, playing with a beloved dog, reading before bed, and sleeping in a cozy bed with beautiful moonlight just outside the window? This debut picture book will send young ones off to sleep gently, and may also inspire a new before-bed game: counting and naming lights. Preschool-Grade 1. --Diane Foote