The Way Home in the Night

K-Gr 2—A mother rabbit walks home carrying a small, sleepy bunny in her arms. As they walk, the bunny thinks about the city at night. Familiar shops and restaurants close, and apartments with lights inside shine brightly in the darkness, giving glimpses into the lives of those inside. A flickering light makes the bunny wonder if someone is watching TV, an open window shows two mice hugging goodbye, and the sounds of a party spill into the evening. After being tucked into bed, the bunny thinks about what is happening to each of the animals seen on the walk home: "Snug under my covers, I think about the way home. Are the party guests saying goodnight? Is the person on the phone getting ready for bed?" Although the bunny's thoughts range far and wide, the final message emphasizes the safety and familiarity of home. Miyakoshi's textural charcoal and gouache paintings are perfectly suited to portray a dark urban setting, evoking the quiet magic of walking along the street, with lights glowing out of unshuttered homes. As in The Tea Party in the Woods, the characters are drawn as humanoid figures with different types of animal heads. They generally have wide, round, unblinking eyes; some readers may find this detail unsettling, but it helps create an otherworldly effect for this dreamy tale.