Dark Night

How do you escape a wolf, a tiger and a crocodile when you’re alone in a forest at night? Wide-eyed Felix retreats into a hollow tree; a stairway leads into the house of a friendly rabbit. They’re instantly candid and forthright with each other: “So now what are you going to do?” asks the rabbit. “I want to go home,” Felix replies, “but I am afraid to go back outside.” The rabbit gives Felix a cape and climbs on his shoulders wearing a scary mask. “Walk straight ahead and growl like a lion,” he directs. The frightening animals, vanquished, actually shrink, appearing almost babylike as they hide behind trees. De Monfreid’s (I’d Really Like to Eat a Child ) pen and ink hatching produces a dense darkness, making the domestic cheer of the rabbit’s warmly lit kitchen all the sweeter. Her insight into the fears and desires of children make for a tale that contains the winning elements of storytelling: suspense, surprise, secret passages, dressing up and hot chocolate. It’s about solving problems and conquering fears, but also just a monstrously good time. Ages 3–5. (Sept.)