Night Cars

by Teddy Jam, Eric Beddows (Illustrator)

It's late night in the city. From his father's shoulder, a sleepless baby watches the snow drift down from the sky onto the busy street below. What are all those noises? What are all those lights? His tired but patient father explains everything, from the bustle of taxis swishing through the slush to the grinding and slamming of the early-morning garbage trucks. Teddy Jam's lyrical prose and Eric Beddows's detailed illustrations cast Night Cars in that magical light between sleep and waking. A warm and witty tale for a cold winter's night.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada

32 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Aaron Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the storefront drawings and my child loves all the cars and trucks.

I love the donut shop ending, though my child wants to skip it usually and start over from the beginning.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son loved it (not difficult if cars are involved). It felt like the author was trying to be hip and abstract in the writing, he was just trying a little too hard for my taste.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some of the pictures were nice but I wasn't a fan of the writing style. I like grammar and I like to see it's proper usage. So when commas or periods are missing and there's a slew of odd run-on adjectives and subjects ... well, no thanks.

Ages: 2 - 5

Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.

I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!

[MM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was her favorite bedtime book for a long time. In general I like the lyricism and accompanying images.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slightly irritating in its tendency to lapse into word salad/free association, but captures the sleep-wake-sleep-wake restlessness of a small child very well, and my children both love it.

[Eden Honey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favourite children's books. I love the subtle rhymes, unique long-poem style, and connection to beauty in the wee hours of the night most parents will spend with a waking child who has a desire to explore and discover, regardless of the time of day.

[Partridge Public]

Jam, Teddy K-1st

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The verse could have been a little better.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love to read this one. Sweet poem and good illustrations.