Print

xii Introduction grows larger with every step. Leaves begin to whisper. Little birds hush.” The old man gradually arrives at the edge of the ocean, where he releases the glowing orb into the sky. Then he returns home and sleeps, and the pearl moon shines brightly above him. Berger’s luminous illustrations are soft and full of peaceful fantasy. Grandfather Twilight blends into the sky, his beard dissolving into clouds. His face is rich with kindness, and his dog and cat regard him with adora- tion. The door to his house is part of the woods there are no walls, and his warm red chair sits on the forest floor. The book has minimal text and doesn’t specifically say anything about not being afraid of the dark or that going to bed is important. Yet it is a comforting story, and it comforted Jamie Rose. She and her grandmother carefully absorbed the details in each illustration, from round eyeglasses on Grandfather Twilight’s book (“What do you think he’s reading?”) to orange starfish clinging to the rocks by the sea. (“We saw starfish at the coast what color were they?”) After several readings Jamie Rose’s eyes were heavy, her fears and worries were gone, and she and Bobbie returned to bed, confident that the moon was nestled in the night sky, spreading its light over all three of us. Books comfort. When a child struggles, when he feels lonely or she feels confused, when he feels frightened and she feels sad, there is a book out there that can bring reassurance and wisdom and peace. Whether it’s a groovy dog who understands the importance of sharing or a pearl of a moon that radiates light through the darkness, books can help children navigate the emotions of life a bit better.