It’s the little details that get me, too. The broken alarm clock lying amidst the books that the Insomniac family have been using for research. The anticipation on the faces of Mother and Mika as they await their dinner of nightshade vegetables. Father’s photographs, Mother’s nighttime yoga, the splashes of color provided by Mika’s scarf and the flowers on their nightly walks, Mother’s parasol (so she won’t get moonburn, I guess)…

In specific, there are two two-page spreads that make stop and linger. The first, all the nocturnal animals they encounter on their trip to the woods. The second, the colony of bats. With just the text, you can imagine and even hear them as they take off for their nightly hunting. But the drawing of all those happy bats just seizes you, puts you in the feet of the family as they watch the bats fly off, and you feel the elation they must feel at watching all those little creatures zoom away.

My favorite picture of all is the far-away shot of the three Insomniacs, lanterns held high, in the dark and Gorey-reminiscent forest. Though it’s a little spooky, THE INSOMNIACS shows that the dark and the nighttime don’t have to be scary; they can be beautiful and normal as well.

That’s all from me. Just wanted to get that out there.

“Hueys in the New Sweater” by Oliver Jeffers, a NY Times Best Illustrated book

“Red Knit Cap Girl” by Naoko Stoop, another NY Times Best Illustrated book

“Unspoken” by Henry Cole. Yet another NY Times Best Illustrated book. I haven’t seen this one, but I’ve heard good things and am planning to order it.

“Baby Bear Sees Blue” by Ashley Wolff was mentioned by Elizabeth Bird on an SLJ blog as a contender

“Oh, No!” by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Eric Rohmann. I understand that some people have an issue with the perspective. I heard Rohmann speak at the ALSC Institute and thought he was delightful, which might influence how I feel about his work though.

“Because Amelia Smiled” by David Ezra Stein. I briefly saw the book, but haven’t had a chance to study it. I heard Stein talk about his technique at the Mazza Museum conference though. (Whenever I hear an author or illustrator talk about his work, I find that I appreciate it more.)

“I Have a Dream” illustrated by Kadir Nelson. I love Kadir Nelson’s work (and I haven’t even heard him speak.) I would enjoy hearing what others think of this gorgeous book.
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