WHAT IF NIGHT? - Susan Kay Phillips

by Paul Bogard Illustrated by Sarah Holden

Reviewed by Susan Kay Phillips

©️ Paul Bogard

What If Night? authored by Paul Bogard and illustrated by Sarah Holden hits exactly the right gentle notes to introduce small children to the problem of light pollution, the value of the dark night, and ways to preserve the dark.

Bogard begins with an idea that will delight.

I don’t know about you, but the small child part of me was instantly captivated. Wow! Endless hours for playing and never missing out on anything!

Bogard’s main characters, pictured above, a young girl and her playful canine companion, are overjoyed. They romp across the pages having simple but wonderful adventures. Then a bit of reality sets in – they yawn, they are tired. And questions arise…

”… where would the moon go to shine its light? Where would the stars appear if the sky were always bright?”

Very skillfully, Bogard introduces readers to the necessity of a dark night. His young heroine and her pup learn about the animals, birds, and insects who depend on the dark night. These are the creatures who begin their “day” as night falls. They also learn what the night brings to them. A chance to rest and dream.

Holden’s illustrations in a soft and peaceful watercolor pallet are the perfect companion to Bogard’s text. The dark and the creatures of the night appear appealing, helping children to overcome any fears about the night, darkness, and nocturnal animals.

Children’s picture books about light pollution and the disappearance of the dark night sky are fairly rare. For those of us who care about the wonders and benefits of a dark night, this book offers a gentle and effective way to introduce children to the importance of a dark night sky.

The back matter of the book asks readers thoughtful questions and provides more information and resources on reducing light pollution and promoting dark skies. For more information on preventing light pollution and restoring dark skies visit https://darksky.org

Reviewer’s Note:

Paul Bogard is a native of Minnesota who grew up with great appreciation for the natural world and the dark night sky. He is the author of the acclaimed book (for adults),The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light, which exposes the negative effects of light pollution and the need for darkness.

Bogard is currently a professor of English and Environmental Studies at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He can be reached at https://www.paul-bogard.com/

Paul Bogard graciously agreed to answer my author interview questions. His responses are given below. Many thanks to him for this interview and his timely picture book.

Please share some of your journey leading you to be a writer of children’s picture books.

I mostly write books for grown-ups that focus on the natural world. I wrote a book called The End of Night which is about the many costs of light pollution and the incredible value of natural darkness for life on earth. I wanted to have a children’s book that emphasized how important darkness is for our lives, and to have it be a book that parents wouldn’t mind reading over and over!

What was the inspiration for your book?

I love the night sky and the night in general, especially the birds and bats and insects. And when my daughter was born 8 years ago, I rediscovered children’s literature. It’s a thrill to be able to share my own book with her and to hear from kids across the country that they enjoy it.

Is there anything in particular you hope children will take away from reading your book?

I hope they will feel encouraged to love the night and the night animals and not be afraid of the dark. There is so much beauty and life in night’s natural darkness, and it’s important that we learn about it and savor it.

What is the most memorable feedback that you’ve received about your book from a reader?

Just hearing from parents that their children love the book and that they’ve read it together many times.

Do you have any favorite children’s picture book authors, illustrators, or characters?

I love the classics–Make Way for Ducklings, Where the Wild Things Are, The Snowy Day, Babar the Elephant.

Are you working on any new projects?

How to See the Sky: The Newest Science, the Oldest Questions, and Why They Matter for Life, due out in June from HarperOne. It’s for grown-ups, but I hope to write a children’s book on the same subject.

Where can people purchase a copy of your book?

On Amazon, or you can order from local stores.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I’m really proud of this little book. I love that it might help children discover the beauty of the natural world at night. It was a thrill to work with the illustrator and to be able to have my beloved old Brittany featured as the dog in the story (and to have the little girl in the story be dressed in Vikings colors.) I can’t wait to write another children’s book!

As always, thank you for reading!

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