April 15, 2023
A growling tummy prompts a child to head for the kitchen for a midnight snack. As the light-skinned protagonist prepares some toast, a host of animals have the same idea--the household dog and the cat would both like some, so the child obliges. They're soon joined by wilder and wilder guests: a mouse, bunnies, and a...snake?! But yes, even serpents are welcome, as are a panda, a koala, an elephant, a sloth, and more. After providing the animals with toast, the child still has a "GRRRROWL!" in their stomach and reaches for more bread--only to realize the bag is empty. But the guests have a surprise for our protagonist. In this ode to toast, a deep purple background signals nighttime. An abrasive yet faded pastel palette layers onto the purply-black backing, suggesting an older storybook style. The narrative is fairly simple; toast is the main event, though Corace also conveys the importance of sharing and considering others' needs. The use of dark negative space might be disorienting to some, as it gives the overall feeling of watching a crew of animals having a raucous fete but from an odd distance. Still, animal lovers may enjoy this midnight feast. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Dreamlike and quirky. (Picture book. 3-5)
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August 14, 2023
Corace enthralls with this linguistically spare title about a late-night snack for two that ends up feeding a dozen. Clad in a long nightgown, a tawny-haired, peach-skinned child heads to the kitchen (“What to eat?/ What to eat?/ What... to... eat...?”) and begins making toast. After offering the first slice to their dog companion, however, the would-be chef discovers that a cat has arrived, also in need of sustenance. Next come a mouse, two bunnies that resemble the child’s slippers, and others that bear similarities to various domestic objects. As the arrivals continue, the crew messily load their slices with toppings and spreads—all captured with goofy glee in skillful mixed-media artwork, which offers flattened views of the ingredients and various sous-chefs in kitchen scenes that stand out against charcoal gray backdrops. Eventually, the host’s hunger reappears alongside the discovery of an empty bread bag. Luckily, the motley party finds a perfect solution that leaves them—and the reader—feeling satisfied and sleepy in this midnight snack of a book. Ages 4–8.