Night walk

A young boy is awakened by Grandpa, who is anxious to take the boy on a walk to see all of Grandma's favorite places. They traverse the woods and visit the pond near their house, encountering moths, hedgehogs, foxes, frogs, fish, deer, and owls, and finally arrive at the ocean, where they spy stars, whales, and a brilliant sunrise. In succinct text, the two exchange thoughts (clearly distinguished via regular and italic fonts) and the child remains engaged, although he is very sleepy and sometimes needs to be carried, and Grandpa's urgency at transmitting these memories is evident. The mixed-media illustrations successfully convey the natural world and this pair's appreciation of it. Blues and greens predominate until the final sunrise spreads, which glow in reds and yellows. The artwork is somewhat stylized, with simplified (but recognizable) forms representing the flora and fauna seen. Cockcroft also makes effective use of light (from the moon and a flashlight) to brighten the nighttime scenes. Not everyone will realize that Grandma has passed away, but this remains a thoughtful look at intergenerational bonding in nature.

In the dark of night, "it's time to go on Grandma's walk!" Grandpa wakes up his grandchild (both are white and unnamed) to go on a walk through the woods to experience Grandma's favorite spot. As they proceed, they observe wildlife and reminisce about Grandma, whom they both miss. As the night unfolds, the grandchild becomes tired and restless, repeatedly asking whether they've reached Grandma's "favorite spot," to no avail, though suspense builds along the way through repetition. Eventually, the pair reach the seaside and, in a lovely set of double-page spreads saturated in yellows, oranges, and purples, experience the wonder of the sunrise and the dawn of a new day. Cockcroft's conversational text showcases the tender bond between loving family members and the wonder of nature experienced through different senses ("Can you hear the hedgehog in the grass?" "Put your fingers in the water. Can you feel the fishes swimming by?"). The grandchild's text is differentiated from the grandfather's by italics. Mixed-media illustrations use perspective well to convey the young child's sense of wonder while capturing and embracing the quiet, fleeting moments of life that can be missed if you don't pay attention. A sweet look at the bond between generations and the wonder of nature.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.