Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book opens a world of nighttime wonder. Things that sometimes scare kids are friendly and beautiful, in a solid, realistic way. The only worry parents may have is that Fiona wanders outside at night.
Families can talk about how kids feel about the night and the darkness that surrounds it. Would they like to walk outside and explore the nighttime world as Fiona did? They might try turning off all the lights to look at the night sky. What does the moon look like? Where is it in the sky? How many stars can they see? Which ones can they name? Also, they might try to be very quiet and listen to the night sounds. Fiona heard an owl and a mockingbird. Have you ever heard those birds at night? What do you think they sound like? What flowers and insects can you see best at night? Why do the white flowers show up best? How did you feel when the two big eyes appeared? Do you think Fiona was frightened at first?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Patricia Tauzer
This magical book explores the beauty of the nighttime world, which few of us ever really see, hear, or feel as Fiona does. The story is original, the writing is beautifully poetic, and Amanda Shepherd's finger-painted illustrations are amazing.
Nothing is ordinary in Fiona's nighttime world, but all is magical. This is not the magic born of imagination, but rather one that is fostered by a sensitive and perceptive nature. This is about appreciating the magic of the natural world, and a little girl who is adventurous enough to explore it. She is quiet. She is not afraid. She runs through fireflies, which is like "running through stars," sings with the mockingbird and watches the frogs jump into the pond where they make the "moon wrinkle."
In lyrical language that is soothing and soft, the adventure unfolds against a finger-painted world. Page after page is filled with dark blue-dotted mystery highlighted with the subtle light and bold lines of various nighttime surprises. Together, words and pictures invite the reader to stroll along through the world that Fiona loves. And we can understand why she feels the way she does.
FIONA LOVES THE NIGHT is the second collaboration by three talented women, and it's a masterpiece. Their first book, Who Loves Me is a soothing bedtime book for even younger readers.
From The Book
Fiona opens her French doors.
The night wraps around her
like a velvet coat.
It is silent.
It is safe.
Stars slip across the sky.
They light up Fiona's night.
She looks for the Big Dipper.
She looks for the Little Dipper.
She looks for her bright North Star.
Plot Summary:
After she has slept for a while, and everyone else is still asleep, Fiona slips out to explore the night. She watches the stars; listens to the owl and the mockingbird; walks through the cool, wet grass; and shares in the magic of the moon before climbing back into bed, smiling as she dreams about her adventures.
Related Books:
More About Moon Magic and the Night:
At Night by Jonathan Bean
Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Good Night, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Moon Plane by Peter McCarty
Regards to the Man in the Moon by Ezra Jack Keats
Related Web Sites:
The Illustrator's Site
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