Parents' Guide to

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Award-winning poetry book is both scientific and magical.

Book Joyce Sidman Poetry 2010
Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Through 12 rich poems, the author reveals the beauty and diversity of the nocturnal world, which includes descriptions of trees, mushrooms, crickets, bats, and more. Each poem is illustrated with a striking scene of the featured subject in its natural setting, and includes a scientific description that explains how owls hear, how raccoons deftly use their front paws, etc.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This book seamlessly weaves poetry together with facts about nature, so that kids will find each element of the book to be inspiring and educational. The striking, detailed illustrations capture the text perfectly, also managing to be both magical and scientific-looking. Kids -- and parents -- will see the beauty in the nocturnal world that Sidman's presents here, and be awed by the brave, clever, and industrious plants and animals "who wake at dusk and throw off sleep."

Parents and teachers who share this book may want to present only a few pages at a time so that kids can really study the rich words and drawings of this award-winning book.

The striking linoleum cut prints work perfectly with the text as they somehow manage to be both scientific and magical. Kids will have fun spotting the Wandering Elf, who travels with readers through the pages, visiting the nocturnal world.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the mix of poetry and scientific description here. Which do you find more interesting? Which is most educational?

  • Many people find the night to be a scary time. Does this book -- either the words or the pictures -- make you think of nighttime any differently?

Book Details

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