Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Richly illustrated bedtime story is wonderfully calming.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
IN THE NIGHT GARDEN there is mystery and calm, bringing new perspective to sounds, light, and darkness. There's a mama fox bringing her cubs back to their den, a gentle breeze, crickets and bullfrogs, a graceful cat, and many other sights and sounds in the darkening sky. There are stars and twinkling lights, the smell of flowers and grass, and a million small details to pay attention to, and bring calm focus to, in the darkening time before sleep.
Is It Any Good?
Captivating art and rhythmic phrasing in this picture book strike just the right tone for settling in and soothing evening jitters. With a focus on calmness, Carin Berger's In the Night Garden is a lovely book for nap time, nighttime, and anytime. The short phrases on each page leave lots of time for caregivers to take deep breaths with young readers and listeners, and to help address fears of the dark or sounds that happen at night. There's a black cat on each page, giving young kids something to hunt for while they listen and get ready for sleep. This one will be a constant on the bedside table.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they like to look for in the night sky and if it's anything like what's In the Night Garden. Do you like to look for stars or do you prefer dark trees? Do you like wind or stillness?
What makes you happy at night? What makes you scared or uncomfortable?
How do you like to calm down for sleep? Why do things like deep breathing help you with self-control? How can self-control help at bedtime?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals
- Character Strengths : Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Neal Porter Books
- Publication date : July 4, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 6
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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