This collection of twenty-two poems explores the fascinating lives of North American nocturnal animals.
When the sun goes down, many animals come out. Crickets chirp their crickety song hoping to attract a mate. Cougars bury their leftovers for later, leaving few clues for others to follow. Armadillos emerge from their dens to dig for worms, leaving holes in the lawns they disturb. This collection of poetry from acclaimed children's author and poet David L. Harrison explores the lives of animals who are awake after dark. Stephanie Laberis's beautifully atmospheric illustrations will draw in readers, and extensive back matter offers more information about each animal.
"Who's out at night, and what do they do? These poems answer that for you...Twenty-one animals who live by the light of the moon get profiled in Harrison's poems, written in a variety of forms, some rhymed and most not. Each is featured in a one- or two-page spread with realistic, appropriately dark, attractive illustrations by Laberis. A fine collection of poetical odes to a nicely diverse group of nighttime fauna." — Kirkus Reviews
"Harrison explores the active nighttime hours of 21 nocturnal species. Scientific facts and lifestyle insights, some slightly veiled, are woven into poetic language in a mix of free verse... and rhyme. Warmth and foreboding emanate from the nocturnal creatures as Laberis’s shadowed nightscapes show a hum of quiet—and not so quiet—activity in an otherwise sleepy world... An immersive volume of nocturnes for young animal enthusiasts." — Publishers Weekly
"Each of these poems, written in different styles and meters, profiles a nocturnal animal. Subjects range from familiar critters like fireflies and
skunks to scary carnivores like cougars and wolves to truly exotic beasts: the Mexican red-knee tarantula and the Arizona hairy scorpion. Full-page illustrations featuring shadowy palettes illuminate the words, which appear in a bright white font and pop against the dark backgrounds. The poems make great read-alouds, and the content makes this suitable for STEAM applications." — Booklist
