The House in the Night

                        


  Here is the key to the house.
  In the house burns a light.
    In the light rests a bed.
   On that bed waits a book....

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Swanson, Susan. The House in the Night. Boston: Houghton 

Mifflin Company, 2008
ISBN 0618862447

  Susan Marie Swanson

PLOT SUMMARY:

Structured text and luminous pictures explore a key to a house, which has a bed, 

on which lies a book, in which there is bird...you see the simple pattern. The book 

considers the everyday items in a house and how they connect to each other and

become a home with relaxed comfort and basic joy. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The plot is simple, easy to read, and explores what makes a house a home. The 

book is interesting; however, the illustrations are far more appealing and thought-

provoking. The richly detailed black-and-white illustrations expand this bedtime

story. As the story progresses with gentle and familiar words the illustrations begin

to illuminate -- seemingly glow with golden color that exists in a comforting world.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

From the Horn Book Guide, Fall 2008: “Here is the key to the house. In the house

burns a light.” So begins a soothing bedtime verse that ends with a child tucked in 

bed, bathed by the light of the moon.”

AWARDS:

The 2009 Randolph Caldecott Medal

Starred review: Kirkus

Starred review: Booklist

Publisher Weekly Best Books of 2008

2008 Parents’ Choice Approved

CONNECTIONS:  

*Use this book to inspire children to relate what they find
  comforting in their homes

*Create a "House in the Night" picture book of their house

*Read other books by Susan Maria Swanson

*Review and compare other illustrations by Beth Krommes

Beth Krommes-illustrator