When Human Eyes Are Absent

In winter, their presence is easily noticed.  New snow is patterned with paths made by their prints.  They burrow and scoop out shelter under and among landscaping to stay warm during the chilly nights.  They dine on any available edible.

For the most part, they move in silence in any season when humans are tucked inside their homes asleep.  What they do after their essential needs are met is not as easily identified.  The impressions left in the snow, mud or dirt, sometimes indicate playful antics.  The Midnight Fair (Candlewick Press, February 2, 2021) written (conceived) by Gideon Sterer with illustrations by Mariachiara Di Giorgio is a marvelous wordless story of an extraordinary nighttime adventures of forest animals.  

As clouds gather and sunset casts a golden glow, a caravan rolls into a large meadow bordered by woodlands.  Behind the trees and tall grass, animals gather and watch.  The rides and concession stands are quickly assembled.  In darkness lights, loud noises, and laughter fill the air.  From the shadows, the animals still watch.

After the attendees and caretaker leave, the only light is from the glowing eyes of animals cautiously walking from the forest and entering the fair.  Clever climbing raccoons pull the main electricity lever.  The fair comes alive . . . again.

Spinning, swinging, and bumping rides are ridden, confections and snacks are consumed, and games are played and won.  Music floats up, down, and around.  Not a word is spoken, but every creature is finding fun.

All too soon, the sky in the east lightens, proclaiming the upcoming sunrise.  At the fair, the excitement lessens, and clean-up begins.  At home, the caretaker gets ready for his day, arriving as others slip away.  In the softness of dawn, there are suspicious surprises for the caretaker, and rejoicing and much-needed rest for the animals of the forest.  This tale has one, wonderful final twist. 

As the narrative unfolds author Gideon Sterer takes readers slowly from curiosity to cunning, and then to sustained elation until the break of dawn.  In this story, we shed what we think we know about animals, replacing it with an enormous imaginative leap.  The manner in which Gideon Sterer presents the events during this midnight magic resonates universally.  It reaches all readers; for who among us has not been enchanted by the dream of one transformative night?

This book with these images created by Mariachiara Di Giorgio is to be savored over and over, pausing to study each one.  Look carefully at the front, right, of the matching dust jacket and book case.  The starry constellations, outlines of buildings, tents, and rides at the fair, in the background have formed an enchanting place.  The music from the carousel floats out into the night air as animals from the forest ride and watch.  Who wouldn't want to be there with them? (The outlines, title text and entire carousel display are varnished on the front.)

To the left, on the back, the pinpoint outlines continue as a full moon peeks out from behind a tree on the left.  Silhouettes of animals in a line stretch from the TICKETS booth, as a resident wild canine accepts payment.  The opening and closing endpapers figure prominently in the pictorial interpretation of this story.  On the first set the open meadow is filling with the caravan of trucks each carrying fair equipment.  Behind a row of trees and grass in the foreground animals watch.  The final set of endpapers has the same illustration except now the meadow is nearly empty and only a portion of one trailer is visible, vanishing on the left.

The artwork for this book was rendered

in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil.

These mediums portray a realm in eloquent detail, textured and inviting.  The double page illustration for the verso and title pages continues the story with the setup of the fair as the animals gaze at the activity in secret.  Mariachiara Di Giorgio uses a series of panels framed in white lines to supply pacing.  Two square images might be paired with a horizontal picture on a single page or two horizontal images might be spread across two pages together, one on top of the other.  Double-page pictures provide readers with gasp-worthy scenes like when the fair, now back to life, is spread before the animals as they enter or when we look down on animals spinning in saucers.  Every element in these visuals is worthy of study, humor is highly evident.  You'll note the raccoons working to turn on the main switch, the method of payment used by the animals, the porcupine with sweet treats stuck to its quills, and the animals riding the roller coaster, arms in the air as it cascades down.

There is also a story within the story here.  Without disclosing too much, careful readers will watch as a wolf wins a particular prize at the ring toss.  We see him throughout the illustrations, still holding his reward.  Remember when it was mentioned we need to suspend what we think we know about animals?  

One of my many, many favorite pictures is when the animals are watching humans at the fair on this opening night.  In the bright, but muted, lights the midway spreads across two pages.  In much darker colors, shadows, leaves, berries and seeds border the top and the right side in the foreground.  On the right a raccoon is gathering branches and stems, pinecones, and mushrooms.  From the left side a bear is watching.  Next to the bear are two rabbits (hares) with only their ears visible from the bottom of the page.  They are all waiting.  These animals are very close to the reader.

In case you have ever wondered what wild animals do when humans are not present, this book, The Midnight Fair written (conceived) by Gideon Sterer with artwork by Mariachiara Di Giorgio, is a gorgeous window into possibility.  This story and every illustration ask readers to participate and enjoy each moment.  You will want to have this breathtaking, inventive book in your professional collections as well as on your personal bookshelves.  This title is one you will want to share often, gifting it so others can find joy in its magic.

To learn more about Gideon Sterer and Mariachiara Di Giorgio, please follow the link attached to their names to access their respective websites.  Gideon Sterer has accounts on Instagram and Twitter.  Mariachiara Di Giorgio has an account on Facebook.  This book is featured at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast by author, reviewer, and blogger Julie Danielson.  Mariachiara Di Giorgio is highlighted at Let's Talk Picture Books in a 2017 interview by Mel Schuit.

A Puzzling Predicament

For three hundred sixty-five days you and your best friend have been planning for this single day of pure childhood bliss.  Squirreling away weekly allowances and odd-job monies earned in the neighborhood are part of the grand scheme.  Past experiences help you to generate a list of those places you must visit and of those things you must do.  You have been dreaming with ever growing excitement about the mix of sights, sounds, smells and tastes of an afternoon at the fair.

It seems as though the car ride is endless but your parents finally have the car parked; you and your friend are walking to the entrance.  Strolling through the gateway, you stop and look at each other, your grins growing.  You Must Be This Tall (Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, March 8, 2016) written and illustrated by Steven Weinberg (Rex Finds an Egg! Egg! Egg!) is about a day at the fair full of the expected fun of shared activities with more than one surprising twist.

Frank and Harold are at the fair.

Frank and Harold are as inseparable as the proverbial two peas in a pod except they are snakes.  Of the pair Frank is very long (tall) and thin.  Harold is much sturdier and shorter.

As soon as they can, they are enjoying one romping, rollicking ride after another.  Certainly this twosome is nearing exhaustion or at the very least dizzy from all their experiences.  On the contrary, they nearly shed their skins when they see the ultimate fair marvel spread before them, The Rattler.  This is the roller coaster of all roller coasters.  There is one huge problem.

A very persistent pig announces:

YOU MUST BE THIS TALL.

Harold is too short.  Even standing on the tip of his rattle, Harold is a smidgen too small.

Ever the faithful friend, Frank has a plan.  Actually Frank has several plans.  A costume booth helps them with Frank's first idea.  Unfortunately the proprietary pig has keen eyesight.  Will the high-wire, trapeze strategy work?

Frank's final approach to this dilemma is so shocking readers will be stunned.  They can't believe they are witness to this tactic but they might find themselves bursting aloud in laughter.  A persnickety pig meets his match.


Each sentence written by Steven Weinberg builds a narrative not unlike a roller coaster.  We go up, up, and up enjoying all their fun and then plunging down when they encounter the height requirement.  As Frank puts his plans into action we start going up, up, and up again and down over and over until we reach the top, crowning achievement.  When we descend to the start it is with great satisfaction.

Lots of action is infused into the story with word choices like slammin' and bouncin'.  Adjectives like scary and smelly are completely understandable and reader friendly and sure to elicit knowing nods.  If your younger self (or in my case recently) has tried to reach something on a top shelf, like hidden cookies, two of the pages might find you sitting up straighter or standing on your tippy toes.  Here is a short sample passage.

No fair!
Hang in there, Harold.
Frank has a new idea...
Together they
s t r e t c h ! ...


A kaleidoscope of color in a full illustration stretching from side to side on the open matching dust jacket and book case greets readers' eyes.  We immediately understand the problem Frank and Harold are facing.  Frank looking longingly to the left watching others, a rabbit, duck and beaver, ride the Rattler, increases our empathy.  On the opening and closing endpapers on a darker teal canvas Steven Weinberg has placed a woven wonderment of snake bodies stretching from top to bottom in vertical, rows, looking like an intricate fun-filled maze.  Careful eyes will note the differences between the two endpapers.

Frank and Harold are featured in their contrasting lengths (heights) on the two pages dedicated to the title.  Frank is hanging over the row of fair pennants mouth open above the T in tall as Harold strives to reach the top of the letter L.   Their friendship is further depicted by their happy postures on the verso and dedication pages.

Rendered in watercolor and pencil, then colored digitally the images match the pacing of the narrative.  A blend of single page visuals is followed by several smaller pictures grouped together and then there are double-page spreads.  One of them requires readers to rotate the book vertically as the pig proclaims the requirement each time.  As the team races toward the final outcome Weinberg uses only large visuals across both pages.

The expressions on the faces of Frank and Harold are sure to have readers smiling.  Frank's tongue is as demonstrative as his body.  All kinds of animals are enjoying the fair; a moose, shark and turtle ride the roller coaster on one of the interior images as two mice, a balloon-carrying turtle and an elephant stand in line. (The mice suffer the same fate as Harold.)  Frank's friendship toward Harold is continually noted by the curling of his body's around Harold in comfort.

One of my favorite illustrations of many is the first one.  Frank and Harold have just entered the fair.  They are standing beneath two strands of pennants.  In the background without the firm, bold, and blue outlines is the pink and brown landscape of a desert.  Harold and Frank are holding ice cream cones with the ends of their tails, although the scoop is falling from Frank's cone.  Their grins could not possibly be bigger.  A nearby cactus acts as a holder for three small white flags.


To reinforce the power of friendship, teamwork and the unforeseen twist a story can take You Must Be This Tall written and illustrated by Steven Weinberg is a splendid choice.  I am certain you will be reading it more than once at a sitting.  The subtle word play will be duly noted by the more sophisticated readers.  You'll want to find this title at your favorite book shop tomorrow on its release date.

To learn more about Steven Weinberg and his other work please take a moment to visit his website by following the link attached to his name.  At the publisher's website you can view several interior images.  When his first book was released author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson hosted Weinberg at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

Points Of View

The first noise heard is the glee-filled yells of the children.  Then the familiar scents of fried foods, the sweetness of cotton candy and the tartness of home-made lemonade drift toward you on the sultry summer air.  You will pick up the calls of the barkers tempting you to try whatever challenge or oddity their booth offers. In the distance the roar of racing cars resonates.  Depending where you wander the faint whiff of barnyard odors and the soft sounds of animal conversations might float to your nose and ears.

For one hundred sixty-one years the Ingham County Fair in Mason, Michigan has welcomed visitors.  Having attended numerous times as a child and later as a chaperone for children, the excitement has never faded.  County fairs and their larger counterpart, state fairs (Michigan State Fair) celebrate the end of the summer and the accomplishments of many individuals.  In Billy and Goat At The State Fair (Alfred A. Knopf, June 30, 2015) written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino a friendship is challenged.

Billy and Goat were
the best of friends.

They were not best friends because they shared the same interests.  In fact if the phrase opposites attract were illustrated in a dictionary, portraits of Billy and Goat would be featured.

Billy liked to fix the tractor,
and Goat like to ride it.

It's safe to say, Billy's idea of fun was to read about it but Goat would rather be doing it.  In a search for excitement Goat found exactly what he wanted.  He made sure Billy knew about it too.  A huge billboard was being hung announcing the state fair.

Part of the sign announced a Best-Goat Competition.  Billy was thrilled.  Goat could hardly wait to attend.  When they arrived at the fair Billy could not believe how enormous it was.  It was intimidating.  Goat wanted the truck to stop immediately.

When the livestock tent was located Billy felt relief.  Goat decided to get free and see the sights.  It seemed like wherever Billy looked Goat was one step ahead.  Nearly in a panic Billy finally found his friend....on a gigantic float in the parade.  Truth be told, Billy was enjoying this as much as Goat was.  The rest of the day and into the night the two friends were inseparable.  Did someone say roller coaster?


Dan Yaccarino announces with his first sentence about the strength of the relationship between Billy and Goat.  He then proceeds to tell us more about their likes and dislikes defining their personality types.  Ever so slightly Yaccarino begins to set us up for the fairground chase when we realize each one is excited to attend the fair for entirely different reasons.  Billy wants calm and the competition and Goat wants wild exploration.  Here are two sample sentences.

They shared corn dogs.
(Goat thought the sticks
were delicious.)


On the matching dust jacket and book case Dan Yaccarino, in a back to front, edge to edge, illustration introduces us to Billy and Goat against the backdrop of the state fair.  We can already see how their relationship works.  Billy is looking straight at the reader, proud as punch with his ice cream cone.  He seems to have forgotten Goat will tend to do the opposite of what Billy expects.  Notice how the use of limited color in the background makes Billy and Goat stand out from the general hubbub.

An idyllic pastoral scene with the barn, farmhouse and Billy carrying a book with Goat following behind spans the entire opening and closing endpapers.  When we turn to the title page, an open- mouthed Billy is chasing that scamp Goat running away with Billy's book.  In the first part of the narrative, when Yaccarino wants us to pause we are greeted with a two-page image for emphasis.  As he makes a comparison or wants to show the passage of time, smaller illustrations will be grouped together.  During the chase he shifts to single page illustrations and two pictures to a page to create more tension.

With curved lines and dots, Yaccarino has the adept ability to convey on their faces the exact moods of Billy and Goat.  Rendered in brush and ink on vellum and Adobe Photoshop, simple elements work in combination to depict more intimate moments in contrast to larger expanses at the fair.  Yaccarino works humor into his story best during the chase.

One of my favorite illustrations spans two pages on a background of white.  Silhouettes in purple of Billy and Goat begin to wind their way on a dotted path through the fairgrounds past the merry-go-round, the Ferris wheel, floral and vegetable exhibits, a pie-eating contest, games, a maze and other rides until they find the livestock tent.  It gives an overview of the state fair but also offers sneak peeks at places figuring into the tale later.


Hand this book, Billy And Goat At The State Fair written and illustrated by Dan Yaccarino, to those looking for a way to open a conversation about events during the summer, to those wanting to see how opposite personalities can work to benefit a friendship and to those who enjoy laughing.  Readers can appreciate the use of a conjunction to separate a term but connect two characters in companionship.  How can you look at the front dust jacket and book case and not smile?

To learn more about Dan Yaccarino please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  At the publisher's page for this title you can see interior views.  This book is reviewed by teacher librarian Travis Jonker on his blog, 100 Scope Notes.