Customer Reviews

Good Night, Mr. Night

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dan Yaccarino has hit a bull's-eye with this imaginative depiction of night, that is, Mr. Night. With bright and bold colors that fill each page, a "day" in the life of Mr. Night is told from a child's perspective. The implied author invites the reader, or audience (this is a good read-aloud), to accompany Mr. Night on his nightly routine of walking the earth, closing the flowers, calming the animals and the sea, keeping the stars, and whispering dreams to a young child. The spare amount of text is barely noticeable as the illustrations, rich in color and texture, vividly portray the gentle actions of Mr. Night.

Yaccarino's characterization of night as a gentle keeper of the earth, and little children, offers young readers a truly unique perspective on what may be for many, an intimidating subject. This wonderful picture book may go a long way toward dispelling childhood fear of darkness and night.

An easy and enthusiastic recommendation.

I had read a great review of this book, but after receiving it, we were concerned that Mr.Night was a little scary-looking for a small child. So prior to a week-end visit from our grandson, I went in search of the "Good Night, Mr. Night" doll (Yottoy Productions). We presented him with the doll, and showed him how Mr.Night's stars glowed in the dark. He was very taken with Mr. Night, and dragged everyone into a dark room to show them how his stars glowed.
The next day, still unsure, we presented him with the book. Not to worry! Our 3 1/2 year-old grandson was mesmerized by this book (as was his 1 1/2 year-old brother!), and immediately said, "Read it again; I like it." Bedtime for the 3 1/2 year-old is normally an ordeal (and it started out that way), but after reading "Mr. Night" together, he closed his eyes, rolled over, and was asleep.
The next day, after hearing the story 5 times, he read it aloud to his mother--almost word-for-word--when she came to pick him up. This is a wonderful book for any child--whether they have a difficult time going to bed or not. And don't let Mr. Night scare you--children must see what we can't. (I do think it worked best to present the Mr. Night doll first.)

Being an earth-based, organic, natural-fiber sort of family, I wasn't sure the the anthropormorphic Mr. Night was going to be popular with my children (ages 7 and 3), but the reading of this book (now memorized by all) has become part of our nightly ritual. My son received a "Mr. Night" doll as a gift and was so taken with him (boys DO need dolls, but that's another subject....)that I ordered the book. I was pleasantly surprised. The story shows a day in Mr. Night's life, and a small boy's loving relationship with him. In a few succinct pages, Mr. Night gently puts all the living beings of the Earth to sleep and prepares the world for its night of rest, then goes off to bed himself. The boy is aware of Mr. Night's doings, and feels a special connection with him that results in his own peaceful nightly slumber. The story clearly illustrates the ongoing cyclical nature of day and night, and makes the reader feel at one with the powerful forces that shape our world. The illustrations are vivid and colorful, and clearly show the change from light to dark to light again. I highly reccommend this book for children of all ages.

She is nearly two, and loves looking at the pictures. It's a very simply written book, so it should be read-able even to very young babies. What I really like about it, though, is that it doesn't rhyme. There's only one or two lines per page (or pair of pages, really), and it's not rhyming, so you can feel free to interrupt the story and point out details on the pages ("See the boat? Where's the boat? Do you see the animals? Can you point to the animals?"), which you really can't do in a rhythmic or rhyming book.

No matter how many times I read this to my son, I never tire of it. He loves the beautiful pictures and I love those plus the clever, sweet, soothing bedtime story. This is now one of my very favorite children's books.

Goodnight Mr. Night was an instant hit for both my children. They have never been afraid of the dark knowing Mr. Night is looking after them.

A beautiful bed time book that the entire family can enjoy. This is one of my all time favorites.

Weighing in at just a mere one hundred and fifteen words the story is quite soothing to the adult reader who just might be frazzled trying to get reluctant kid-os to bed. I've found it to be surprisingly calming to read it aloud for both parent and child. The story makes you feel like a nice warm blanket is wrapped around you, a cup of hot cocoa is on the table beside you and everything is alright with the world. I am finding that I like this book better than our deservedly battered copy of "Goodnight Moon". It is a gentle and calming book and highly recommended. I am only bummed that I board book is missing the very last page. It had no words but it was a nice coda to the story.

This is one of my sons (and my) favorite books. It is a gentle story about night falling and a great read for bed time. I have given this book to half a dozen other childrent, and their parents all say they became as obsessed with it as mine did.

My daughter is almost 4 and now sleeps with this book. The images are soft as what it is saying. It is peaceful and so well done. We have checked it out so many times we decided to buy it. You should too!