If you were Night by Mượn Thị Văn illustrated by Kelly Pousette

This book could be used as an exemplar to demonstrate the very best of picture books. The text is lyrical and reads like a poem and the illustrations invite you to linger and explore.

Each page begins with the words "if you were the night." 

Here is my favourite:

"If you were the night 

and you saw a spider scuttle and pull,

would you sweep aside the trap?

Or would you roll up your sleeves

and stitch by starlight, too?"

I love those delicious words - stitch by starlight. As you can see in this example, the provides two propositions for each question. Kelly Pousette creates her illustrations with layers of cut and folded paper. This reminded me of the art Soyeon Kim. 

A marvel of a nighttime book that is perfect for bedtime or camping outside. Waking Brain Cells

Publisher blurb from Kids Can Press: A poetic and evocative exploration of the natural world at night illustrated in illuminating paper-cut dioramas. This dreamlike picture book asks the question: if you were night, what would you do? If you saw the moon tiptoe past your window, would you nestle under the covers? Or would you step outside to follow it? What if you felt a tail brush your ankle, would you freeze? Or skitter away? And if you saw an owl swoop from a branch, would you hide? Or join the hunt? All the while, the child pictured in the book chooses adventure, and thrillingly experiences a night like no other. From the award-winning and acclaimed author Mượn Thị Văn comes a lyrical and evocative exploration of the natural world at night. The poetic language of the text engages all the senses as it gently poses questions that pull readers' imaginations outdoors, where night creatures roam and everything seems different. Kelly Pousette's intricate paper-cut dioramas, intriguingly presented with shadows and darkness falling around them, are packed with charming details for children to investigate. This unique and thought-provoking book is sure to encourage observation and spark curiosity --- and many conversations. A wonderful read-aloud or bedtime story. 

Here is an interview with Kelly Pousette from Canada. You can see other books by Muron Thi Van and also books illustrated by Kelly Pousette:

School Library Journal review by Betsy Bird