Cover Image: If You Were Night

If You Were Night

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Member Reviews

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It really had a different look, the pictures were so unique and well done. I enjoyed the poetic text. It had such a nice rhythm to it.

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I enjoyed the pictures. The story is based around the question "what would you do if you were night?".
It is a different way of looking at the what if question while talking about night and the creatures within it. Could be used to teach young children more about darkness to help curb fears.
I would recommend this to anyone with small children or teachers. This could be a great way to start discussing night creatures. Pair it with physically acting out the creatures in the book, any non-fiction books of animals that are within the book.
This book was recieved by Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

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This was a well written story about things that happen at night. Sounds that are made and it makes the reader aware of what is going on at night. The book has pictures of paper that is cutout to make a scene, it is quiet beautiful and intricate. I enjoyed the way the words felt like poetry.

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This wonderful picture book features a night-time romp through uniquely illustrated scenes made up of layers and layers of intricately cut and folded paper in plant and animal shapes!

The narrator poses questions about what you would do if you saw the moon outside your window, saw the critters scamper about, heard the sounds of the forest, and more, while the layered scenes show a child doing exactly what the narrator asks us. We follow along on a beautiful night journey into the wild, spotting flora and fauna in abundance and soaking in the sights and sounds as we were there too!

A fantastic nature-based picture book all about the nighttime!
We loved all the nocturnal creatures featured and the obviously 'handcrafted' paper scenes are both amazing and inspirational. It absolutely gives me ideas for homeschool craft projects.
We're always on the look-out for a bedtime story perfect for nights camping or stargazing and this one didn't disappoint!

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Are you curious what happens at night while you’re sleeping? If you could, would you go outside and see? Juxtaposing active animals at night with an exploring child, this book wonders aloud what discoveries we could make when the moon is out and the animals come to life! I love how dimensional the shadows of the magical paper cut-out dioramas make me think of being outside at night, and how the artwork’s rich colors seem to be lit by the moon. And it’s liberating how the child is immersed in the scenes among the animals with no fear of the dark! It’s a quiet, dream-like celebration of curiosity and adventure. A story to lull little ones into lush, wild, forest-filled dreams. A fantastical look at the forest at night, that asks: What would you do? Who would you be?

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Beautiful picture book that encourages children to contemplate nature. The illustrations are amazingly detailed. This is a wonderful book for young children.

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What would you do if you were night?
What a beautiful book with such lovely ideas for a young one to consider what they would do if they were night.
The artwork is breathtaking. The writing is wonderfully done. I enjoyed this book so much that I read through it a 2nd and 3rd time. Poetry in motion.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kids Can Press, and Muon Thi Van for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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Gorgeous illustration and interesting concept. I believe kids will have great fun with this little book.

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I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
4 stars for the illustrations alone. Beautiful paper cut artwork brings the night alive for readers. The story focuses on asking the young child what they would do if they were out with different creatures of the night. It allows readers to participate and answer as well. Gentle story as a family read aloud.

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Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I had high hopes for this book. The title is intriguing and the cover is stunning! The illustrations are inspiring, beautiful, and creative. I appreciate that it depicts nocturnal animals in their habitats with some hidden details and lots to look at.

But the story/words were a let down. The question of "if you were night" never felt clear, and there's no rhyming or constant metre. Some of the verbs and nouns for animal actions and noises seemed like odd, inaccurate choices. It was a clunky, awkward read-aloud.

Ultimately, this is a pretty book that we would pick up from the library, but it's not the type I purchase for our personal library.

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This children's book visually guides its readers through nighttime nature in a series of dioramas that use lighting to create a feeling of depth I had no idea was possible. What a lovely idea??? As an old-time Polly Pocket lover, I have a soft spot for all things tiny and detailled, and I'm afraid if I ever had to read this to a child, I would get completely distracted by the wonder of paper art. A sweet goodnight story with meticulously crafted and lovingly arranged illustrations. ❤︎

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I enjoyed this book, it was well written and it had a lovely natural flow to the story.

The images used are great, such a nice touch, they are cut outs that are put together to give the book a different angle and for me they did really stand out and they worked really well with the story.

The only thing I didn't really like was that the book seems to encourage children to leave their homes, alone, at night and I wouldn't want my daughter to do this!

It is for this reason that I can only give the book 3 stars and I will not be reading it with my daughter. She is smart and I don't think she would want to explore without me or her daddy but I am not reading a book to her that gives even the smallest of idea - it is a great idea, just the safety aspect as a mum that really does concern me!

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This conversational tale flows by asking the reader a number of rhetorical questions about what they would do if they were in the night. By roaming through the outdoors in a paper-cut diorama that uses light and shadows to reveal the hidden mysteries of the night, the reader is pulled into the story where they can participate in the beauty that is night.

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It is lovely and lyrical. And the art is gorgeous. I just have a strong dislike of books about children leaving their houses at night on their own. Too many sad stories.

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Thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this absolutely beautiful book. I love the repetition of the text and how the child interacts with all of the events going on at night. The pictures are glorious and so intricate with the paper.
My two favorites were when the child joined in the hunt with the owl and when he was sitting so still with the deer. He only had his little hand on his back. We all need that calm.

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A completely enchanting work of thoughtful poetry, written in a casual, curious tone and illustrated with rich layers of cut paper and colored pencil drawings. The perfect book for curling up with and slowing down.

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Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy of the book for honest review.
The book takes us in an amazingly colourful and lyrical journey at night time. It is an enjoyable read. It is perfect for bedtime stories and new readers.

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This book was like looking into a dream. The art was astounding, and the story read almost like a poem. A great read for young kids.

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Vivid 3D Night Scenes

The illustrations in this book stand out. They are not true illustrations. The graphic artist uses paper folding and cutting techniques to create 3D images and scenes. When I first looked at this book, I wasn't quite sure what the illustrations were, but I could tell that they were something out of the ordinary. Luckily, the illustrator talks a little about her technique on the back book flap. The play of light and shadow is like nothing I've ever seen in a children's book. Stark, bright light shining on the paper casts deep and sometimes surprisingly angled shadows, creating a magnificent 3D effect. It's actually a pretty cool way to depict night in a 2D book. Some of the paper is textured, and has a slightly velvety look. The story itself is relatively straightforward. The young child gets to see and participate in the liveliness of the world at night. The narrator invites the child to participate in the various 2-page scenarios, asking whether the child wants to hide or stay safe from what is happening or wants to join in with the fun. Because this is such a visually stunning book, I think it would be suitable for most children, not just those who need a “message.” But if your child has a fear of the dark or nighttime, this book could be a gateway into discussion of those fears.

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Wow! I mean perfection. How did they compile this story book in verse? It's so beautiful. It's not just illustrations. It's like a whole new level of storybooks!
The whole artwork is like an actual scrapbook/art project done so well.

This book gave me ideas! Bingo!

Love the way the book speaks like my mind was talking while watching the stars, talking to the moon and listening to the night.

It's so beautiful. I would love to have it in my collection when it comes out.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

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