Bright Lights and Summer Nights by Shauntay Grant

I grew very excited to get my hands on today's read...not that there really is a reason. I simple found the rollercoaster, fireworks, and a boy drumming interesting. I'm pretty sure this is a bedtime read, although drums and everything else would suggest otherwise. I don't know of many little ones, who would fall asleep easily with any of these things around. Maybe, that's why I'm so excited to open this one up and see what's inside.

So, let's do just that!

BRIGHT LIGHTS AND SUMMER NIGHTS

by Shauntay Grant

Illustrated by Zach Manbeck

Tundra Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Take a luminous bedtime journey through the summery dreamworld of a restless baby in this enchanting picture book lullaby. A fresh alternative to Goodnight Moon, this gorgeous book with a cloth-like spine is the perfect gift for new parents.

Fireflies and mystic moon

Mystic moon and brilliant night

filled with friends and firelight

On a hot summer night, Mother Moon soothes a little star baby who won't go to sleep. With her magic, she spins a warm, lyrical tale of friendship and a dreamy summer evening set beneath a blanket of twinkling stars as children and forest friends with balloons enjoy a country fair with a carousel and caramel apples before taking a fantastical trolley ride to a marvelous, light-filled destination. 

A captivating book, sure to be picked up night after night, that will send all little star babies off to dreamland.

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MY TIDBITS

With a hint of magic, this book invites to dreams while bringing across a calming atmosphere.

This book is for younger listeners and works great for a bedtime read. It begins with the boy floating and playing his drum and gently slides into the tale with several pages without words as a magical woman holds a wand and carries him into the world of dreams. When the text settles in, there are only a few words on each page...just enough to bring across images and mood. The rest is in the illustrations.

The illustrations hold a constant, blueish-green direction to keep darker, nightly tones. The golden sparkles and magical scenes hit with brightness against the dark background. The details are mostly done in dark lines with slightly different tones of the color they are on. It keeps a fantastical impression, while still carrying cheerful vibes and excitement. The mix invites to yawns despite the amusement park and fun, and it's well done because of it.

And here she is...

SHAUNTAY GRANT is an award-winning author, poet, playwright, interdisciplinary artist, and associate professor of creative writing at Dalhousie University. She is the author of a number of picture books, including My Fade is Fresh, which garnered multiple starred reviews, Sandy Toes: A Summer Adventure, Snowy Mittens: A Winter Adventure and When I Wrap My Hair. A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, her picture book Africville won the 2019 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was a finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Awards, the 2019 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards, and the 2019 Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award. 

Today's read... Stanley's Secret by John Sullivan

 Today's read centers around a slightly original theme—tap dancing! I'm fascinated by this dance style and remember as a kid, wishing I could take lessons. But that was out of the question due to financial reasons. I did, however, discover that my own father had taken lessons when he was a child...and he does remember several steps, although he is more than reluctant to admit that he does. 

This read hits the shelves at the end of the month and promises a message of encouragement and inspiration. Let's take a peek and find out how it is!

STANLEY'S SECRET

by John Sullivan

Illustrated by Zach Manbeck

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

JANUARY 24th!!!

The award-winning author of Kitten and the Night Watchman is back with an inspiring and poignant picture book about a boy learning the self-confidence to fulfill his dream of dancing in front of his peers.

The only audience shy, quiet Stanley dances in front of is his pet mice, Squeaker and Nibbles. He also practices when he’s alone in empty classrooms or the gym when he helps the janitor after school, tatp dancing shuffle, tippy-tap, tippy-tap. “Talent should be shared,” encourages Principal Reynolds. Can Stanley find the courage to perform in the school talent show?

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MY TIDBITS

With beautiful illustrations, which set the right tone, a boy finds the courage not to hide the one thing he loves to do.

Stanley is a quiet boy and never draws any attention to himself. But he has a secret. Stanley loves to tap dance. The only creatures, who know about his secret are two mice. He also helps out the janitor after school, and that's when he can practice his steps...when no one is looking. But when the principal catches sight of his moves, she hopes to put him in the talent show.

I'm starting out with the illustrations because these are lovely and fit the scenes so well. With the darker tones, the atmosphere of Stanley's secret and emotions is set and thrives. Plus, the swing of colors and lines emphasis the music and dance.

The text is well written, flows nicely, and makes Stanley's problem clear. It makes a nice read-aloud and is tight enough to keep slightly impatient listeners engaged, as well.

Stanley's quiet nature comes across smoothly and avoids any signs of bullying along the way. He is lonely, except for the adorable mice. The tap dancing adds an original touch and is presented in a way, which might have some listeners tapping their own toes. I did wonder how he learned the steps, considering he didn't even want his parents to know his desire, and it never shows him watching anyone. But his love for the movement comes through crystal clear...as does his apprehension when the principal approaches him. When the entire thing rounds off on an inspiring note of courage and embracing ones' differences, it creates a lovely tale with a meaningful message which resonates. Plus, again, the mice are cute.

And here they are...

John Sullivan received the Ezra Jack Keats Award and Margaret Wise Brown Prize for his debut picture book Kitten and the Night Watchman, also named a best book of the year by The Boston Globe, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage. He is also the author of Ethan and the Strays and Stanley’s Secret. John is a cat lover and tap dancer who formerly worked as a night watchman. He lives in Chicago.

Zach Manbeck is an author and illustrator living in Pennsylvania. As an artist, his work is described as modern vintage—nostalgic, yet fresh. As a creator, Zach aims to tell stories from new perspectives: stories that advocate for characters that haven’t yet had a chance to live in books. Learn more at ZachManbeck.com.