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As Night Falls

Creatures That Go Wild After Dark

Illustrated by Felicita Sala
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Hardcover
$18.99 US
11.31"W x 10.31"H x 0.39"D   | 19 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Mar 28, 2023 | 40 Pages | 978-0-593-37429-0
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell P
A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOK • This picture book is for the littlest nature aficionado. Bursting with vibrant illustrations, it offers an inviting look into the secret world of how nature goes BERSERK at night!

As night falls. The earth cools. Waters calm. Winds hush…
But outside, night time is action time for some.
Silly action. Hungry action. Wild action.

From microscopic organisms to giant cats, it's surprising who you'll find awake in the middle of the night! Dinoflagellates guzzle floating bacteria, bumblebee bats loop and swoop, racer snakes slither, weasels sneak and circle, and spot-bellied eagle owls leap and sweep. One by one, the animals of the food chain find their next scrumptious treat.

For children whose curiosity abounds, and restless sleepers greedy for one more story or one more goodnight kiss, this distinctive picture book with a science focus gives a peek at the animals that come alive at night. The striking words of Donna Jo Napoli join the electric and wild illustrations of acclaimed artist Felicita Sala to make this the perfect picture book to help young readers get out all their wiggles and giggles  before bed.
★ "In a clever concluding twist, the narrative comes full circle, proposing a way that little insomniacs might tame their own inner fierceness at bedtime." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Gouache, watercolor, ink, colored-pencil, and oil pastel illustrations layer bright colors that pop off the dark nighttime backgrounds and make dramatic use of light and shadow. Attractive compositions of flowing, swirling lines and shapes create the movement necessary for this busy animal world.” —The Horn Book

“A charming, energetic attention-grabber…” —Kirkus Reviews
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and young adult fiction. Some of her work includes Treasury of Greek Mythology, Stones in Water, Treasury of Norse Mythology, and Daughter of Venice. She has five children and eight grandchildren. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden, bake bread, dance, and make pottery. View titles by Donna Jo Napoli
FELICITA SALA received Italy's Premio Andersen for her work illustrating many books for children, including Green on Green by Dianne White; She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez; The Octopus Escapes by Maile Meloy; and Ode to an Onion by Alexandria Giardino. She lives in Rome, Italy. View titles by Felicita Sala

About

A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BOOK • This picture book is for the littlest nature aficionado. Bursting with vibrant illustrations, it offers an inviting look into the secret world of how nature goes BERSERK at night!

As night falls. The earth cools. Waters calm. Winds hush…
But outside, night time is action time for some.
Silly action. Hungry action. Wild action.

From microscopic organisms to giant cats, it's surprising who you'll find awake in the middle of the night! Dinoflagellates guzzle floating bacteria, bumblebee bats loop and swoop, racer snakes slither, weasels sneak and circle, and spot-bellied eagle owls leap and sweep. One by one, the animals of the food chain find their next scrumptious treat.

For children whose curiosity abounds, and restless sleepers greedy for one more story or one more goodnight kiss, this distinctive picture book with a science focus gives a peek at the animals that come alive at night. The striking words of Donna Jo Napoli join the electric and wild illustrations of acclaimed artist Felicita Sala to make this the perfect picture book to help young readers get out all their wiggles and giggles  before bed.

Praise

★ "In a clever concluding twist, the narrative comes full circle, proposing a way that little insomniacs might tame their own inner fierceness at bedtime." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Gouache, watercolor, ink, colored-pencil, and oil pastel illustrations layer bright colors that pop off the dark nighttime backgrounds and make dramatic use of light and shadow. Attractive compositions of flowing, swirling lines and shapes create the movement necessary for this busy animal world.” —The Horn Book

“A charming, energetic attention-grabber…” —Kirkus Reviews

Author

Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and young adult fiction. Some of her work includes Treasury of Greek Mythology, Stones in Water, Treasury of Norse Mythology, and Daughter of Venice. She has five children and eight grandchildren. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden, bake bread, dance, and make pottery. View titles by Donna Jo Napoli
FELICITA SALA received Italy's Premio Andersen for her work illustrating many books for children, including Green on Green by Dianne White; She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez; The Octopus Escapes by Maile Meloy; and Ode to an Onion by Alexandria Giardino. She lives in Rome, Italy. View titles by Felicita Sala