Night Job by Karen Hesse and illustrated by G. Brian Karas was almost put aside to read. It is not due until later October 2025, but I needed to see how these two would work together. I think of Hesse as a slightly more serious author and Karas as a lighter illustrator. Not saying it couldn’t work, but first thoughts are first thoughts. 
And they became probably one of my new favorite duos. The story is a bit on the lighter side allowing Karas almost signature style to shine. By almost signature style I mean that yes, once you know it is Karas that style is there. Yet, they are not “jumping off the page” saying “I am A Karas!” This slightly more seriousness allows the story of a father and son who work at a Night Job interesting and clever. 
I loved the idea of seeing the son and father get up at night, hop on dads bike and see the scenery and smells of the trip to the place dad works. The special tasks that father (and even son) do to keep the place clean for the next day is done in a respectful manner. We do not have the usual kids making fun of the janitor’s son, but the pride both have in the work and each other. And this is all done in darker colors that have pops of light to them and wonderfully soft, but solid colors. It might not be the subject or theme you would expect from either creator, but it’s definitely the quality you expect from them.