ACHUKA

children's & YA recommendations on the go

You are here: Home / Archives for night

A Wild Lullaby by Jackie Morris ill. Cathy Fisher

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 4 sep 2026

Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
ISBN: 9781915659934

See also (by the same author-illustrator team):
The Summer Puppy [ACHUKA Book of the Day 20 Jun 2025]
The Panda’s Child [ACHUKA Book of the Day 10 October 2023]

A third Book of the Day recommendation for this author-illustrator team. As this is very much a book for reading aloud, and Jackie Morris’s lullaby is loosely poetic rather than tightly rhyming and rhythmic, I would recommend the adult read it to themselves beforehand.

A mother sings to her child, describing the ways wild creatures across the world lull their babies to sleep – whales in the sea, fledgling ospreys in their nest, bear cubs in their ice den, seals on the shore, ponies on the heath, the snow leopard family in the high rocks, and tigers in the deepest jungle.

The lyrical story (“written for my grandchild, Cai, and for all young dreamers”). is enriched by Cathy Fisher’s gorgeous animal paintings, realistic yet magical, evoking a sense of tenderness and peace across our wild world.

Follow Cathy Fisher on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Cathy Fisher (@cathyfisherart)

Luna and the Night by Maylis Daufresne ill. Ian de Haes tr. Katy Lockwood-Holmes

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 30 Apr 2026

Publisher: Floris Books
ISBN: 9781782509783

“An inventive, delightful picture book about embracing what you fear and finding wonder within it. Luna’s imagination proves larger than life in the active, involving illustrations.”
Foreword Reviews
“Lyrical prose and beautiful, textured illustrations will capture the hearts of readers. Crafted with care, […] this book will help young readers understand their fears.” SLJ

Another really wonderful picture book from Floris. ACHUKA adores the illustrations.

Hardback cover under dustjacket

Luna is afraid of the inky night that creeps under her door and around her bed — until Mama suggests it might make Luna feel better if she says her fears out loud. The last thing Luna expects is for the Night to reply…

Night wants to show Luna there is nothing to be afraid of, so together they play in the darkness. Luna paints the twilight sky in shimmering shades of blue and purple and dances among the stars in a sparkling dress that gleams like moonbeams. As Luna gets to know the Night, she realises that her fear has become her friend.

Endpapers

Follow the Belgium-based illustrator on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Ian De Haes (@iandehaes)

The Sun Thief by Alice Hemming ill. Nicola Slater

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 26 Jun 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

See also:
Where’s The Leaf Thief? board book [ACHUKA Book of the Day 20 Mar 2025]

Squirrel is back, and he’s enjoying the long, sunny summer days. But wait! Why is Bird going to bed when the sun is still up? What a silly idea! Squirrel could never fall asleep while it’s still light…

And when the sun starts to disappear earlier and earlier each night, Squirrel is convinced there MUST be a sun thief about!

Join Squirrel on a mission to find the culprit, and meet some new nocturnal friends along the way. Luckily, the sun always comes out in the end … even if it doesn’t stay for long!

Another personality-packed story , celebrating the changing seasons. With a handy information spread at the back  that explains why days become longer in the summer and get shorter through the winter.

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Alice Hemming (@alicehemmingauthor)

Follow the illustrator on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Nicola Slater (@nicolaslater)

Are You a Sleepy Monster? by Guilherme Karsten

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Bookshop

We’re ashamed to say that the first book in the sequence — Are You A Monster? — escaped our notice last year. 

The new title has certainly made us sit up and take notice.  

Parents whose children are already tuned in to a restful bedtime story routine may choose to keep this one for daytime reading. But it’s the perfect bedtime book to help energetic children expel any last bursts of energy  and settle in for the night as they tell the monster what to do.

Children will love playing along with the book as the lovable monster invites them to wear ragged pyjamas, crawl under the bed, and act like a monster. They get to join in with this hilarious story and play their monstrous part. By the end all little monsters will be feeling calm and sleepy! 

Follow the book’s creator on :

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Guilherme Karsten (@guikarsten)

Ning and the Night Spirits by Adriena Fong

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

“A sweet, glowing picture-book story of loneliness and bravery.” Guardian

Ning has always heard tales of the night spirits that used to terrorise the little village where he lives. So, each night, he helps his parents light bright orange lanterns to frighten them away. Secretly, he wonders if they’re really as bad as everyone says – but is much too shy to ask anyone. But when Ning finds himself in the forest by night, he meets a creature who introduces him to the spirits’ secret world and he discovers that all is not as it seems…A beautiful and magical story about confronting fears, confidence and a little boy who finds his voice.

Follow the Singapore-based illustrator-author on Instagram:

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Adriena Fong (@adrienafong)

Sunshine at Bedtime by Clare Helen Welsh ill. Sally Soweol Han

By Leave a Comment

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Curious Macie notices that the evenings are brighter in summer and wants to know why. Together Mummy and Macie discover the wonder of the Sun, just in time for bed. A beautiful, lyrical and reassuring bedtime story with a double-page spread of non-fiction facts at the end.

Follow the illustrator on Instagram:

The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 25 Jan 2021

Waterstones
Amazon
Bookshop

Translated from French; the original edition won the prestigious Prix Landerneau in the best children’s picture book category.

Mama opened our bedroom door. “Come on, you two,” she whispered. “We need to go now, to get there on time.” Excited, the sleepy family step outside into a beautiful summer evening. They’ve entered a night-time world, quiet and shadowy, filled with fresh smells and amazing sights. Is this what they miss when they’re asleep? Together, they walk out of their sleeping village. What will they find in the dark landscape? This beautiful and evocative book movingly recalls family trips and the excitement of unknown adventure, while celebrating the awe-inspiring power of the natural world.

Hear Marie read from a previous picture book, The Epic Race, in the original French:

Marie Dorléans studied Art and History of Art at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France. She graduated in 2010 and has worked as a children’s book illustrator since then.