THE LONGEST NIGHT
by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Ted Lewin
On the longest night of the year, when snow covers all and darkness rules, woodland creatures wonder who will be the one to bring back the sun. A crow caws he will wake the sleeping sun with his sharp beak. A moose cries he will scoop the sun with his antlers while a fox barks he will toss the sun back into the sky with his teeth. But when the wee chickadee sings her song, the sun listens, smiles and returns to the sky. Relying on repetition and onomatopoeia to create memorable images of the crow, moose, fox and chickadee trying to rouse the sun, Bauer’s poetic text reminds readers that endings are often beginnings and the ordinary can be extraordinary. Working primarily with a limited palette of blues and browns, Lewin’s watercolor illustrations evoke the deep darkness of winter woods illuminated by moonlight. Remarkable close-ups of the crow, moose, fox and chickadee convey their natural power and almost magical beauty. A harmonious pairing of verbal and visual images sends a strong message of affirmation. (Picture book. 4-8)