The night knights

PreS-Gr 2-Even though most kids know that monsters don't exist, there are always some who can't help but be afraid when darkness falls. Thankfully the Night Knights are here to help, whether you believe in monsters or not. Sterer spends most of the story elaborating on the idea that everyone has protectors watching over them at night. There are archers that create shooting stars, mounted knights that ride through the streets, and even giant owls that patrol the skies. It's a concept that may help some kids' peace of mind if they are having trouble sleeping, but some more anxious or inquisitive kids might have a slew of follow up questions, as this opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Godbey's illustrations definitely make the piece; his stoic characters against watercolor backgrounds make for a wonderfully dreamy landscape. However, nearly all of the pictures feature suburban-style houses. VERDICT An imaginative addition best shared one-on-one.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A sleepless kid tackles nighttime fears of lurking monsters with an imaginary army of medieval knights and guardians.In the shadowy gloom of late night, when sinister beings come out, a protective team takes its place inside and outside the protagonist's home. Three watchmen dressed in armor stand ready at the front door "with broad shield and heavy sword." Mounted bareback, "the Horsemen charge, / the Horsemen hunt. / for all will be outrun." On the tops of rooftops and trees, a group of Archers aim their bows at the sky. A Midnight Flock of owls swoops in to "search from skies above" while "a fleet patrols the sea." And in the protagonist's bedroom "the Knights of Near / stand where there is fear." Deep asleep in "your castle, / your kingdom" the child can rest assured of the promise made by "THE NIGHT KNIGHTS" that the "night will be still. / The night will be safe." The staccato, second-person narration is paired with opaque, evocative paintings done in fuchsia and midnight blue that embrace the eeriness of a middle-of-the-night atmosphere. Sharp-eyed kids will note that the powerful warrior images come to life from the protagonist's toy-filled bedroom. The protagonist is white, with short, mussed hair and blue pajamas.A worthy addition to the arsenal of bedtime fear-of-the-dark books. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.