Editor’s Note: Good afternoon. If you missed out on this morning’s post, you can catch Dr. Elaine Kerr’s educational piece on childrens eye health HERE. Now, we have two children’s book reviews about stories that make the lack of light during Winter a bit more magical and a giveaway to go with it. Have a great Saturday afternoon:

As the darkness of the season begins to set in, the energetic, fun spirit of Summery light seems to be fading with it. We find ourselves sleeping later, wondering where the day has gone and snuggling under the covers early in the evenings.

But, instead of falling into the “Let’s just sleep until somewhere around March 21” pattern that is our annual routine, this Fall we’re digging into books that are all about figuring out how the dark works, using our imagination and having some fun with it all.

There are definitely two “Darkness” books that have launched themselves to the top of the list already. We’re cautiously making our way into the first Harry Potter book and working our way into some more novels. But, the picture books still win the day.

The first one that was an instant hit was Night Flight written by Mireille Messier, illustrated by Carl Pelletier.

These two Canadians teamed up to create a fun story about a little boy who just simply could not put his imagination to bed. Every time he hit the covers, his mind went off on a new adventure… ones that his mom and dad had a wee bit of trouble appreciating.

I’m confident many of us can relate to the nighttime drama of the kid in the house who can’t turn off. As soon as the light switch flips, they go into imaginary land. It’s a nightly ritual in our house – one that is not often the prettiest – full of the four-year-old crafting imaginary ways to keep from going to sleep.

This great rhyming tale makes sense for kids from ages three to six. Boys will love Messeir’s take on it all.

The part the tiny person likes the most is that whenever the little boy is about ready to take off on a new adventure, he has a fun rhyme that he shouts in the air.

We both have had a lot of fun with it… and Ken can totally appreciate the imagination that never ends (unless, of course, we need a break!)

A long-time fave in our house has been The Sleepy Owl by Marcus Pfister.

Pfister is an artist and writer of The Rainbow Fish fame and won my heart ages ago. It’s not a huge surprise that this sweet tale of an owl who had a ton of trouble waking up at night was a heartstring puller and one we’ve read over and over again.

The story starts off with the sleepy owl who is looking for someone to play with and finds a boy who gives him an alarm clock. Oh the funny, sweet drama that ensues!

The boy and the owl never do get to hang out, but the owl learns how to get up at a time when the rest of the owls do… a big score for such a sleepyhead.

Beautifully illustrated and a bit quirky, this book was one of the first that got the tiny person interested in owls and she often likes to reference it when we’re checking out pals like Shakespeare from Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society.

Both books are easygoing, sweet ways to enter the dark time of year with a smile. They can be found at, or ordered through, your local independent bookseller.

What are some of your tips and tricks for helping the family adjust to the darker times of the year?

I have a copy of Night Flight for one random commenter this afternoon.

This giveaway is closed. Kathy won, yay!