PICTURE BOOK

REVIEW

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Swanson, Susan Marie. 2009. THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT. Ill. by Krommes Beth.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2008: ISBN-13:978 0 618 86244 3 ISBN-10: 0 618 86244 7

1. PLOT SUMMARY

THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT rhyme and repetitive words is pleasant to the ear and mind by immersing the reader into this wonderful story. The plot is a sequential order that is a cyclical story beginning with how a child receives a key and goes through the process of getting ready for bed where a book is waiting to be read by the child and the bird in the book takes him through and adventure of flying and watching the night unfold including the moon as it reflects light from the sun to keep light at night until morning comes.

2. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT deals on how people relax and enjoy reading by having a powerful story that immerses the reader into the book’s pleasant journey. This Caldecott winner book has universal implications because it starts at home and connects it to passing of time at night.

The majority of this book is illustrated in black and white with some burnt yellow text that brings light to the setting in this cyclical story that begins at night showing the color of the sun burnt yellow and about half way set, working itself to night, and eventually back to morning till full sunlight appears.

Despite the darkness of night in the town, the scratched board illustrator’s method, adds texture, tapestry, and brings light to the pages.

3. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Children’s Literature
"This old-fashioned story structure is pictured in scratch board with touches of yellow watercolor to create light."
School Library Journal
"A journey both humble and epic begins with a key to a house."

CONNECTIONS
Wanda Gag, 2006 MILLIONS OF CATS. Puffin ISBN:10: 0142407089 ISBN-13: 978014240708