Review: Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite
What happens in the animal world when the sun goes down, and
the moon shines out? In their children’s book Night Critters Play,
this is the question answered by author Esseboe Kwami Nyamidie
and artist Pamela B. Christiansen. Critters from the water, land, and
sky move through over two dozen colorful pages that show the
littlest readers a slice of nature they are most likely unaware of.
Nocturnal praying mantises and grasshoppers are shown in tall
grass, and an armadillo, wary without the cover of the dark, is able
to come out of its restful hiding space. Safety for some animals who
are susceptible to becoming a fast meal during the day can go
about their lives with “eagles moon-banished and vultures at
bay…”. Before long, it is time for the moon to go back to bed and a
new day begins for those who roam in the sun.
There is nothing more precious to a parent than to have a child’s
head in their lap as their tiny fingers skim a page even when they
are not quite old enough to read along. Sometimes those little
fingers stop us from turning to the next page, silently asking us to
let them stay in this spot of the story for a moment longer.
For the last four nights, Night Critters Play has been the bedtime story of
choice. The last time my daughter was as enthusiastic about a book
as she is with Esseboe Kwami Nyamidie and Pamela B.
Christiansen’s treasure, well, I don’t recall the last time.
Like her, I am mesmerized over and over by the vibrant, transcendent style of
the illustrations and poetry of words. Like her, I look forward to
another night with the night critters and another successful pre-bedtime treat.