Annotation: A collection of poems about the animals that come at or are active at night.
Genre: Poetry, named a Newbery Honor Book. The Newbery criteria is as follows and was retrieved from http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyterms/newberyterms
1. In identifying “distinguished contribution to American literature,” defined as text, in a book for children,
a. Committee members need to consider the following:
- Interpretation of the theme or concept
- Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity, and organization
- Development of a plot
- Delineation of characters
- Delineation of a setting
- Appropriateness of style.
Note: Because the literary qualities to be considered will vary depending on content, the committee need not expect to find excellence in each of the named elements. The book should, however, have distinguished qualities in all of the elements pertinent to it.
b.Committee members must consider excellence of presentation for a child audience.
2. Each book is to be considered as a contribution to American literature. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the text. Other components of a book, such as illustrations, overall design of the book, etc., may be considered when they make the book less effective.
3. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound or film equipment) for its enjoyment.Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for literary quality and quality presentation for children. The award is not for didactic content or popularity.
Grade Level: P-I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Those who enjoy night and the animals that come out as well as those who enjoy the rhythms and language of the poetry.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 4. I am still learning about poetry and found the poems to have an enjoyable rhythm and language that makes nighttime seem not so scary.
Prereading Question: What animals are active at night?
