Recent Reads: Night Lunch by Eric Fan and Illustrated by Dena Seiferling

Source: From Librarything Early Reviewers program and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Night Lunch by Eric Fan and Illustrated by Dena Seiferling 
Publisher: Tundra Books
Publication Date:  September 27, 2022

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A mysterious cook whips up midnight meals for fellow night owls in a lavish lunch cart while a hungry mouse looks on in this atmospheric picture book inspired by the forerunner of food trucks and diners. A delectable picture book inspired by forerunners of food truck, for fans of The Night Gardener.

Noses sniff the air as mouthwatering smells waft down city streets, luring growling bellies to the Night Owl. Inside this elegant, horse-drawn establishment, a feathery cook works the grill, serving up tasty dishes for shift-workers and operagoers alike: a mince pie for Fox, a ham sandwich for Badger and puddings for little Possums. Mouse, a poor street sweeper, watches as the line of customers swells, ever hopeful that someone will drop a morsel of food -- but Owl's cooking is far too delicious for more than a crumb to be found. As the evening's service winds down, weary Owl spots trembling Mouse. Has he found his own night lunch, or will he invite this small sweeper inside for a midnight feast for two?

From the imagination of two acclaimed picture book creators, together for the first time, this dreamlike picture book is a magical ode to Victorian lunch wagons. Evoking the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the city at night, Night Lunch reveals how empathy and kindness as well as dignity and gratitude can be found -- and savored -- in the most unexpected places.

Review: 

As always a short review for a short book...

Such a cute book! I was pleasantly surprised by this adorable and heartwarming kid’s book. I thought it was going to be about an owl's lunch (the mouse) based on the cover, but the owl runs a lunch cart that travels out at night for all the other critters. He is a chef to all the animals, preparing their meals thoughtfully through the night. All the while a little mouse is looking for scraps and cannot find any. The owl notices and prepares a meal for them to both to share.

The book is heartwarming and sweet and also so pretty. The animals are drawn well, and the sepia-toned images lend to the nighttime atmosphere with lots of shadows and blurred edges. 

It was nice to see an owl as a friend versus a predator. Overall, this was a very cute book, and I can't wait to share it.