The Night is for Darkness. That is the title of this book. It is by Jonathan Stutzman. And the most surprising thing about this book is, I liked it. You might have heard me (um… read my reviews) in the past saying that Stutzman and I probably would not be reading friends. But this time we were! Which just goes to show you that sometimes, even an author you do not always care for, can write something pretty darn good.
This time we start our journey late at night. The dark is all around our (assuming) father and children. They drive along a quiet highway seeing the most amazing discoveries. They see the shapes, colors, and things of the night. And nothing really bumps! This family is shown in rich, deep darker colors, but not “dark-dark.” Even in the night there is light. Joseph Kuefler has created illustrations that are both light and humorous, but still portray the calm and specialness of the night. The journey we take as a reader mirrors our characters as the narrator gives us the lay of the land. The end of the journey might be a bit surprising but is a great way to end the adventure.
Stutzman and Kuefler created a picture book that includes a little science, a bit of nature and a whole lot of nighttime for all ages. The Night is for Darkness is marketed as a bedtime story, yet can be an anytime story as well. The soft nature of the book, however, is perfect for quiet or rest time.