If You Were Night

In this intricate picture book, Va˘n invites readers to imagine themselves as night via inviting verse that focuses on animals’ actions: “If you were night/ and you saw a spider scuttle and pull,/ would you sweep aside the trap?/ Or would you roll up your sleeves/ and stitch by starlight, too?” Pousette’s engrossing illustrations envision the “you” as a pale-faced child in a shadow-colored onesie, a figure that creeps among leaves and rides atop owls. Cut paper colored with pastels and set against a star-studded black sky in a diorama setting adds texture and dimension to the nature-focused landscapes. Though older kids may best appreciate the stylish, evocative language in this quiet readaloud, readers of all ages will marvel at the art. Ages 3–7. [em](Sept.) [/em]