Before Morning

This book is just breathtaking. I accidentally ordered two but am keeping both. One for our two year old to peruse (and potentially destroy as she analyzes each picture) and one for myself. The theme is something that every child (and adult) can relate to. A working parent missing her family, a child missing her mommy, a loving family that wishes time would stop and they could spend the day together. The scenes are just beautiful. The art work lends itself to a more descriptive story that one can share with a child if they just pay attention to the details. But this isn't to underscore the simplicity and beauty of the author's invocation, who poignantly tells a story to which we can all relate. I read it to my two year old before work this morning and wished it would start snowing so that we could stay home together!

I knew I had to have this book. Red Sings From Treetops is probably my favorite children's book and The House in the Night may be my second so I knew I had to have this Sidman/Krommes pairing and I love it even more than Swirl by Swirl. My 6-year-old daughter and I read it as soon as we opened the box. We went through it slowly and studied each beautiful picture. Then we read it through quickly to get a better feel for the flow of Sidman's beautiful words. My daughter said that she wanted to do it slowly again so we did! I am not a librarian or children's literature expert so I really appreciate a book that I can love as much as my daughters!

I read this to my one year old. We mostly look at the pictures. I enjoy noticing all the details that carry through from page to page. My daughter's mother has to work a lot, so the theme of the book is on point for both me and my daughter. It's easy to get lost in this book. The artwork is just beautiful. One of my favorite children's books. I'm hoping my daughter will continue to enjoy it for years to come.

We got this book from the library and read it so many times I ended up buying it to keep. The artwork is beautiful and so detailed, my kids and I were noticing new details that add to the story even after reading it dozens of times.

This book is our favorite ever. The words and illustrations are both genius! Children sit motionless, rapt, and adults tear up at the layer upon layer of beauty.

Beautiful, comforting book about an unexpected day at home. The illustrations are so wonderfully done, you'll notice more details each time you read it. Curl up by the fireplace to savor this book with your little ones!

I just bought this book, and I am so pleased that I did. I don’t know how much to share because it is a beautiful surprise of a story. The poem in rhyme by Joyce Sidman trails through the story, about a night when a mother arrives home, sits with the children for a while, and then you see her getting ready to go again, off to the airport. She appears to be a pilot. You’ll need to read the book to discover what happens next. The scratchboard and watercolor illustrations by Beth Kromme are exquisite, carrying the story along as time moves from late afternoon through the evening, till morning. I imagine ALL ages loving this, perhaps using as a mentor text for their own illustrated poem.

Beautiful book for children and adults.