The House in the Night

by Susan Marie Swanson

Pictures by Beth Krommes

2009 Caldecott Medal Winner

The House in the Night is perfect for bedtime reading! The story is written as a poem, with a cumulative pattern that is both interesting and comforting. The story begins by focusing readers on one simple item, a key to house. The books features a logical progression, shifting from one object to another - from the key, to the house, to a light in the house, to a bed in the light, to a book on the bed, and so forth. Although, the poem is short and simple, it presents readers with an imaginative view of a child's bedtime story and what really makes a house a home.

The most captivating aspect of this book is, without a doubt, the beautiful pictures. Krommes uses a simple color pallet of black, white, and yellow to accent her intricate scratchboard drawings. The careful placement of lines creates detailed images that are fun for readers to explore.

The color combination of black, white, and yellow is a favorite of mine. It's fun for clothing, accessories, and interior decorating, so I am excited to have finally found the combination in a children's book. The House in the Night is another new favorite of mine, simply because its images are so eye-appealing. It is the perfect book to display atop a book shelf or in a library window to promote reading.