In the Dark: The Science of What Happens at Night

Gr 3-5–Author Betik and illustrator Holinaty provide an engaging guide to the science of the night. After an introductory page explaining what happens after dark, the text delves into four nighttime topics: how humans sleep, nocturnal creatures (a cat’s night vision is fully explained as well as how an owl finds prey), nocturnal plants (moon gardens are mentioned, which are plants that attract nocturnal pollinators such as bats and moths), and the comets, meteors, and stars that are visible in the night sky. Betik’s fact-filled writing is crisp and uses clear, inviting language. Holinaty’s cartoon-style illustrations are digitally rendered, adding detail and whimsy to the fast-paced text. For the most part, the animals are depicted as cute and friendly. This book is a good starting point for research on nighttime science. A glossary and an index are appended.