After Dark

“Who’s out at night, and what do they do? These poems answer that for you…Twenty-one animals who live by the light of the moon get profiled in Harrison’s poems, written in a variety of forms, some rhymed and most not. Each is featured in a one- or two-page spread with realistic, appropriately dark, attractive illustrations by Laberis. A fine collection of poetical odes to a nicely diverse group of nighttime fauna.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Harrison explores the active nighttime hours of 21 nocturnal species. Scientific facts and lifestyle insights, some slightly veiled, are woven into poetic language in a mix of free verse… and rhyme. Warmth and foreboding emanate from the nocturnal creatures as Laberis’s shadowed nightscapes show a hum of quiet—and not so quiet—activity in an otherwise sleepy world… An immersive volume of nocturnes for young animal enthusiasts.” — Publishers Weekly

“Each of these poems, written in different styles and meters, profiles a nocturnal animal. Subjects range from familiar critters like fireflies and skunks to scary carnivores like cougars and wolves to truly exotic beasts: the Mexican red-knee tarantula and the Arizona hairy scorpion. Full-page illustrations featuring shadowy palettes illuminate the words, which appear in a bright white font and pop against the dark backgrounds. The poems make great read-alouds, and the content makes this suitable for STEAM applications.” — Booklist