Stormy Night

I found this book on the sale shelf at the local library yesterday afternoon. I was drawn to it by its unusual appearance--a black cover and very thick pages with simple drawings. As I began reading it, I was laughing and exclaiming aloud, as the book sounded like the verbatim inquiry that my seven year old son seems to engage in every night or so just before bed. I bought the book for fifty cents and brought it home to my son, who is more of an avid thinker than an avid reader. He has never taken so readily to any book before. He brought it to bed with him (of course!), was still holding onto it in the morning and even brought it to school with him today. The presentation of all of the questions in the book is at once humorous, deep, real and universal. The illustrations themselves tell a cute story of a child's restless nighttime wanderings. This book is an absolute treasure--truly unique.

The amount of text in this book makes it look like an early reader, but the basic questions it poses can make an adult stop and think. It covers the essential questions that plague humans since we became aware of our own existence within the world. Why are we here? It does not really answer that question, but it poses it in such a way that you just feel good.

I simply adore this book. The economy-of-line drawings are sweet and simply precious. The hardbound book is a classy-presented volume suitable for a coffeetable or as the "feature" on your bookshelf. The back spine is black cloth and the front and back covers are smooth clay paper. The pages are thick, sturdy cotton and just shy of being considered card stock... very nice.During a stormy night, a young girl, probably 9-12 years old, has trouble sleeping and her dog keeps her company as she ponders life's deepest questions. Her dog attentively follows her as she raids the refrigerator, brushes her teeth and sits on her bed. As she eats, you see many little bone-shaped dog treats on the floor... it is just too cute!During the night, her parents are obviously asleep and her dog is the only bounding board she has for questions such as, "Will I know when it's my time to die?" and "Will it hurt?" and makes suppositions about her future and station in life.The book wanders closely into the realm of new age, but it doesn't really teach any "new" concepts... the thoughts the little girl is pondering are thoughts all kids have, but rarely share with anyone... thoughts and fears that stay with us if a belief system is not introduced in the home. This is a great book to read with your children... it opens up topics of discussion in a very non-threatening environment and opens the stage for teaching children your beliefs concerning what happens when we die, etc.The book might be a little to intimidating to very young readers to absorb by themselves, but as a night-time read with a parent, even a five year old can participate in conversation about such topics... but really young readers may have trouble with the detailed drawings. Visually, the drawings are for more sophisticated eyes. As an adult, I just love this little book.

Stormy Night is an AMAZING book, written by an extremely talanted author. In simple line sketches, and one-line questions and phrases, the author has managed to convey things that EVERYONE has felt - numerous times in their lives. The book consists of a main theme, focusing on LIFE and many WHAT-IFs. A WONDERFUL and FASCINATING read, recommended for both young and old!

This is a wonderfly creative and thought provoking book. Exposing the fears and curiosities we all have but think are unique to only us. The illustrations are imaginative and artistically charming in their relevance to the text. An examination of the vulnerablity in all of us, young and old.