Common Sense Media Review
By Jan Carr
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poetic ode to animals in the night woods great for bedtime.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ALL EARS, ALL EYES starts out "in the dim-dimming woods" when "an owl hoots." The reader strains to see the purplish owl near hidden in the purple leaves of the tree. As the woods darken, readers can search for more animals "as light falls and night rises." Animals to search for include bats, flying squirrels, a fox, chipmunks, and fireflies moving swiftly and stealthily in the night. One moody spread reveals a cat, just a shadow. The end pages pull back the focus to show the breadth of the woods, which "sails us all to sleep."
Is It Any Good?
Kids will be all ears and eyes as they're read aloud this poetic book about animals slipping stealthily through the night woods. All Ears, All Eyes transports readers to that dusky, darkening hour when sight dims and we strain to see animals who are awake and moving about. Throughout, the language is elevated and poetic. Some passages may be easier for kids to grasp than others. Some very catchy ones are short and sweet, for instance, "Vole hole," "Deer here," and "What scoots between roots?" Others might initially be a little more slippery, but will gain meaning on rereadings, for instance, "Nature's ark glows, gathers tiny and tall, splendid and small."
Readers' eyes will adjust to the dusky, indistinct forms disguised in Katherine Tillotson's clever art as they would to the dim light of dusk and growing darkness. And the suggestion of sleep at the end is a perfect cap to the experience, in this dreamy book that feels as magical as a darkening day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the animals living in the woods in All Ears, All Eyes. How many can you spot?
Why is it hard to see the animals? Would it be easier in the day? Do animals have ways of blending into their surroundings in daytime, too?
If you take a walk at night, are shapes and shadows as dim as they are in the pictures? What different techniques does the artist use to make the animals blend in?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Katherine Tillotson
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
- Publication date : March 7, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate