When the Stars Come Out: Exploring the Magic and Mysteries of the Nighttime

Beginning with an explanation of just what exactly night is and why it occurs, this whimsically informative book wends its way through a history of the night. Discussions of the evening sky appear alongside wonders such as auroras, moonbows, and shooting stars. Sections on various nocturnal habitats, nighttime animal behaviors, and the question of animal dreams segue into those exploring humans at night, including why and how humans sleep, the master clock, dream cycles, and myths about nighttime visitors such as the tooth fairy and Baku (a Japanese spirit animal that eats nightmares, but sometimes also hopes and ambitions). Text blocks offer illuminating asides on spreads that present a breadth of night-themed information. The twilight undertones of Cartwright’s illustrations subtly accent the luminosity of other colors, giving each page an unmistakably nocturnal feel. Ages 8–11. (Mar.)