Switch on the Night

Most of Bradbury's novels deal with quite dark themes, but thankfully this book for children did not take up the same themes. The story is about a young boy who is terrified of the night, but who conquers his fear when he meets a young girl who teaches him that turning off the lights is just another way to turn on the night. Through his change in perspective the little boy is able to discover all that the night has to off - crickets, stars, and games with his fellow children. Bradbury's prose is, as always, masterfully wrought to give the story a softly lilting emotive quality that perfectly mimics the quiet magic of a summer night and is sure to sooth children who are equally afraid of the dark.

A charming little children's story by Ray Bradbury, about a little boy who is afraid of the dark and the night, until one night a strange little girl comes to show him the joys of the nighttime and shows him how to "switch on the night". Incidentally, when Bradbury signed this book for my wife, Nancy must have charmed him so much that he drew a strange picture of a monster as a complement to his signature.

Interesting illustrations! Some of them remind me of one of my favorite artists, M.C. Escher. The book starts out with a boy afraid of the night. You'll find him anywhere & everywhere, except outside in the night. He eventually gets a knock on the door and is introduced to a girl named, Dark. She takes him a a small journey showing him he can turn on the crickets, frogs, stars, etc. just like a light. The book ends with the boy being happy & liking the night.

Okay read-aloud, more of a lap sit. Gorgeous illustrations. Boy is afraid of the dark, he always has lights on. Then Dark teaches him the good things that come with the night.

Story of a lonely little boy who didn't like the Night, didn't like light switches, & wouldn't go out to play with other children after dark. Late one evening, when the boy had all the house lights blazing, a strange little girl named Dark came to visit & show him to Switch on the Night.