A GREAT BIG NIGHT
by Kate Inglis ; illustrated by Josée Bisaillon
The arrival of a troupe of itinerant musicians means it’s time for a “great big night” for all—except one grumbling grouse. When the “music train,” consisting of three frogs on painted bicycles with an eclectic assemblage of musical instruments, pedals into the “great green forest,” excited animals quickly gather. As the frogs play loud, bouncy music, the animals dance jigs, spin reels, sing, and stomp until Grouse intervenes, shouting, “No good comes from a ruckus,” and ordering them to “lay off this…this…RIFF-RAFF!” Then a thunderstorm sends everyone into hiding during a “long and boggle-eyed night,” but the following morning the sun shines for all—except Grouse, whose home and treasures have been destroyed. Before Grouse knows what’s happening, however, the frogs start playing their music, drawing all the animals “lickety-split” to help their grouchy, needy neighbor. The rhythmic, vibrant verse text, peppered with lively onomatopoeic sounds, dances off the pages, begging to be read aloud. Wild, whimsical, and slightly surreal illustrations, rendered in sprightly collage and brilliantly colored paint, perfectly capture the raucous energy of the jiving frogs and hilarious bevy of cavorting animals as well as the terror of the fierce storm and the harmonious, attitude-altering camaraderie of neighbors helping one another. Riff-raff rules in this joyful, playful, high energy “great big night." (Picture book. 5-8)