The Night Tent

Worried about possible monsters at bedtime, a boy takes refuge beneath his quilt and discovers beneath it not only stars, but a winding path through an expansive land. The journey that ensues makes for a classic bedtime adventure, complete with a mysterious forest, friendly monsters, and a trolley ride “through an ancient city,/ along treacherous cliffs,// and over the sea to a tiny island/ with a very tall tower.” With each twist, a refrain—“And since Watson wasn’t sleepy...”—explains the pale-skinned protagonist’s decision to proceed even farther. Fatigue increasingly overcomes the child nevertheless—Watson is so droopy-eyed upon arriving at the tower that he can barely climb its spiraling stairs, before tucking in for a good night’s rest, even amid text hinting that the monsters may still lurk. Digitally colored with midnight hues, Blair’s closely worked pen and ink drawings frequently take a long-distance aerial perspective, emphasizing the maze-like aspect of Watson’s explorations. It’s dream-inspiring bedtime fare that emphasizes a child’s solo arc toward self-soothing and, eventually, sleep. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)