Good Morning, Good Night

A family day out in a city that evokes New York is narrated by a light-brown-skinned child who spends the story’s first panels waiting impatiently for their parents to wake up: “Good morning? NOT YET.” But after Mama, portrayed with brown skin, and pale Papa shower together and have coffee, exchanging a sweet smile, they’re ready to “look and see.” The day is filled with perceptions, observations, and contrasting elements: “Look up there! A big bird is hovering high above a column.// See down here! Tiny birds are pecking below a fire hydrant.” Paneled illustrations in gouache with pencil and liquid ink offer a wealth of visual information: architectural details, folk-art-like figures—even an overflowing city waste-basket is beautiful in the eyes of Caldecott Honoree Lobel. Often, the three protagonists appear gathered affectionately in the book’s margins, remarking on what is shown in a panel; other pages picture them in the background. At last, they wait for the train underground, then cross a recognizable bridge under a crescent moon. The metropolitan setting presents an ever-changing kaleidoscope of sensations; amid them, it’s enough for the trio to be together, seeing and taking pleasure in what’s there, in this rich, warm journey from morning to night. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)