Night: A Children's Fable

by Katherine L. Jumbe, Shana Dixon (illustrator)

Even long ago, there was day and night. The day was full of light and warmth, and people and animals alike rejoiced in the rays of the sun. But what happens when people get greedy and take the Night for granted? What will become of the Earth and those who dwell upon it? Katherine Jumbe masterfully brings the world of the Malawian savanna to life, telling a rhythmic tale perfect for bedtime. Rich illustrations by Shana Dixon depict Baby Mwana and her older Sister Alekachawo as they trek up the great Sky Road to bring the heavens back into balance.

Genres: Picture Books, Folklore, Childrens, Africa

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

From debut author Jumbe comes a tale that has the earmarks of a folktale.

For weeks, the Dark has been hearing the people of the village and all the animals on the savannah complain about the dark sky of the night. Finally, she travels to the earth and takes the night away, causing it to be light all the time, causing the people and animals complain yet again. Alekachawo worried until she packed some gifts and walked to the Dark's house. Chawo offers the gifts to the Dark, if she will bring back the night sky.

Jumbe's text is very lyric, almost poetic, in style. She does an excellent job of setting up the scene, complete with human and animal characters, takes them through not appreciating what they had and taking that away, only to return it after one person asks the favor.

Artist Shana Dixon has visually created this African savannah. Using digital tools in Photoshop, she drew inspiration from photos of Malawi and personal photos of the author. The use of color is both stellar and exciting. The bright yellows of the sun and the bright blue skies during the day contrast well with the darkness of darker shades blue during the night. She places the images and text just so the reader often reads text and images from one page to the next. Multicolor outlines keep the images from characters from jumping out of the story. Swirling clouds and flowing fabrics (of Dark) keep the nature of the sweeping of the text going.

Tuck this away and bring it out for units about Africa, cause/effect, empathy, and creative writing (particularly of folklore).

Recommended for PreS-grade 3.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this fable set in Malawi, the people and animals loved the joys found in daylight but grumbled when the skies turned dark at night. Sad from listening to the creatures below, Dark decides to take away night, leaving the world bathed in continuous daylight. At first the creatures of the world rejoice, but as this new reality sets in and it is too hot and too dry, they once again complain, wishing this time for night to return. It will take a wise little girl to make Dark relent and return order to the world.
The use of vivid jewel toned colors in the illustrations, especially to highlight the contrast between day and night, and varying font styles complement the story. With its message about being grateful for what you have and its demonstration of how a change like this would impact the natural world, this fable is perfect for a bedtime story. Includes a glossary of Chichewa terms at the end of the book.

[Dorothy Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in college at LA Tech, I took children’s literature in the Library Science Department. I loved the course because I have always loved to read. At MO State (then SMSU), I had the privilege of teaching children’s literature in the English Department. As an adult, I continue to read books for all ages. Recently, I read Night: A Children’s Fable by Katherine L. Jumbe, illustrated by Shana Dixon.

Night is a delightful story with beautiful, bright colored illustrations. Set on the savanna, Night tells the story of how the animals there longed for daylight all the time. When there wish is granted, however, they realize that night is also needed.

This line from the jacket cover explains the story in a nutshell: Night is “a timeless fable about living in harmony with nature that begs to be read aloud.”

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated fable featuring the people and animals of Malawi, Africa and teaching lessons of valuing what you have, appreciating the positive aspects of things that initially appear negative, looking for the sunny side, so to speak.

All the animals and people love the warmth of the day and all the wonderful things that can be done while the sun shines brightly but complain when the Dark comes. When Dark goes away and it stays sunny round the clock, things begin to get too hot, too dry, and just too much but it takes a wise little girl to bring back the Dark. Come to think of it, another lesson included in this fable might be how to apologize for the things you might wish you hadn’t said!

Thanks for the finished copy to review, Levin Querido!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather enjoyable folktale!