The Night Market

Wearing a cape and carrying a bag of golden coins offered by two adults, a brown-skinned child explores a night market’s marvels with the reader as companion. Guiding the protagonist through the market’s offerings (“Try a bite,” “Take a whiff”), sensate prose from Wedlick (Naming Ceremony) details the smell of fresh primroses, the taste of roasted nuts, the song of a nightingale, the sight of parading peacocks, and more. In dreamlike paintings from Mukodiri Uchendu (We Could Fly), warm orange torches and glowing pink lanterns illuminate the child’s discoveries across an indigo night. Each scene bustles and brims with activity as readers take in masked dancers, stilt walkers, and glowing jellyfish, among other sights. Once dawn arrives, and the activity slows, the child has one coin left—enough for entrance to the next market. Bewitching and surreal, it’s a work invested in both autonomous childhood adventures and fresh perceptions. Creators’ notes about Nigerian night market traditions conclude. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Alice Fugate, Joy Harris Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Jessica Saint Jean, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Sept.)