AGREEMENT UNDER THE STARS

Shrinking, crowded forests force the animals to agree that some will become nocturnal.

Thanks to farms, homes, and development, the forest is getting smaller and smaller. Animals who used to live in harmony find themselves in a cramped, loud environment. At an emergency meeting, a committee decides that some of the animals will be active during the day, while others will be active at night. The night animals postulate that they were assigned their time slot because they aren’t as beautiful as the others. When a poacher sets traps at night, the nocturnal animals try to warn the others, who ignore their calls and wind up caught in snares, traps, and cages. Despite their treatment, the nocturnal creatures free the others from the traps and are welcomed back during the day. But the night animals decide that they prefer the welcoming peace of the forest after dark and that night is where they want to stay. This story makes an interesting comment on deforestation that is paired with an afterword explaining the topic further. Blank lined pages invite readers to note “Things I Can Do To Take Care of the Forests.” Rosique makes masterful use of color, playing the shadows of the forest and night against the vibrant reds of the diurnal creatures. The animals have realistic features and will be appealing to children. This modern parable makes for an enjoyable story as well as a conversation starter.

A powerful pairing of story and illustration.