Millie Fleur Saves the Night

Millie Fleur

by Christy Mandin

Wednesday Addams meets The Night Gardener in the sequel to The New York Times bestselling Millie Fleur's Poison Garden. A delightfully peculiar story about embracing the magic of the night.



Garden Glen was afraid of the dark.

Each night when the sun went down, all the lights in town turned on. The houses shone like the noon sun. Every house except for MIllie Fleur La Fae's, of course.

Millie Fleur knows there are enchanting things that can only be glimpsed in the dark. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found.

Determined to welcome the dark back to town, Millie Fleur bakes delicious moon pies and plants a sweet-smelling moon garden. But before the nighttime creatures will return, Millie Fleur must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights.

Millie Fleur Saves the Night is a delightfully peculiar story that encourages readers to find beauty in the darkness. A gorgeous companion to The New York Times-bestseller Millie Fleur's Poison Garden, perfect for fans of The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Fantasy, Fiction, Halloween, Gardening

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Final✘Girl✘Magick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just adorable and made me smile. The illustrations are beautiful and magickal. It teaches the beauty that we can only see in the night. How there is this amazing world that lives in the dark. I loved how the dark herself was this cute creature with her little babies that followed around as if to say, "Im still here! Meet my friend who stays with me!" Mama Possoms and babies, bats, crickets, silk worms, fire flies... even special flowers that bloom in the moon light. 🌙 Night time doesnt get enough credit. This kids illustrative book did wonders showing nature's beauty.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The character of Millie Fleur has my whole heart! The stories of her capture highlight the things that make her beautifully unique, while also introducing new concepts and even scientific principles, in an engaging narrative. I hope there will be many more books about her to come!

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second adventure for Millie involves exploring her garden at night and meeting all the night creatures. The pictures are enchanting and filled with little creatures and plants that will delight your imagination.

Dive into the nighttime garden and see what grows there and glows there. I can’t wait to read Millie’s next adventure.

Read this to your little ones or yourself and be prepared to learn all about the night. You’ll read this over and over again.

Thanks to Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com for an ARC to read and review.

[Hannah | Reading Under Covers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so stinking cute!

Much like the first one, Millie Fleur’s spookiness mixed with the illustration style really provided a Tim Burton feel!

[Ashley Urquhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love these books. The illustrations are beautiful and I particularly liked the spread that used the night’s outline. This book actually brought to my attention an issue that I hadn’t previously thought about. This book is about not being scared of the dark, but it’s also about light pollution and how that can be harmful to the nature around us. I’ve always left my porch light on at night, but after reading this book, it will be off as soon as I’m heading to bed.

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this book was so sweet. Millie notices that due to the abundance of light in the town, some of her plants that grow at night aren’t thriving and so she does what she can to help reduce the light at night in order to help restore the plant and wildlife. There’s a cute new characters (aptly named the dark) that the townspeople are afraid of but with Millie’s guidance they learn there is beauty in getting comfortable with the dark - that there are some things that can only thrive and be seen in the dark. Illustrations are amazing! A must read for kiddos afraid of the dark or interested in mitigating light pollution.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be 10000% recommending the Millie Fleur books to every parent, teacher, educator, and young child.

The first book is all about embracing your weirdness and growing your wild garden. The second book is all about embracing the dark, the night, and all of the beauty that comes from within it. So, so good!

Christy Mandin's illustrations are also incredibly special and detailed. I can't wait to continue reading this series with my daughter and gush over all of the artwork on every page. ❤️

[Evalynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations and color palette of this one even more than the first, and the message Millie Fleur imparts is dear to me, as someone who grew up enchanted by fireflies and other nocturnal creatures her whole life. ✨️ July will be a perfect month for this to be released, as it is the height of firefly viewing time in states that are home to these magnificent beetles that capture the hearts of so many, but need the night and gardens with tall grass to continue their life cycles.

[Suhasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read with audiobook: with sound effects and great music, it enhances the experience and enchants you! Extra 1* for the audiobook!

Amazing illustrations with an important story and a message.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

love Millie Fleur and the illustrations and the vibes

[Brooke Eubanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millie Fleur is one of my top five favorite picture book series, and if not, my favorite.

[adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

healing my inner child one Millie Fleur book at a time 🥹🖤

[Suezette Given · Rating 3 out of 5]

good message

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

No notes 5/5

[Coro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing Millie Fleur book! I love the illustrations and how Millie is seen as different, but being different is a good thing! I also loved the included author’s note about light pollution and how it can harm other living things. I also loved the idea of meeting “the dark” as a cute monster.

[Paige Wibby]

2027 Monarch

Read for Earth Month!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Great message. I really liked the illustrations.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers met Millie and her unusual garden when she taught the townspeople of Garden Glen that different did not have to mean bad and used her marvelous garden to do it. In this follow-up picture book, everyone in town seems to have become afraid of what the dark might bring and are lighting their paths, roads and homes with lanterns as soon as the sun sets. But the dark is what brings Millie’s garden to life and without it, the mushrooms and algae just aren’t fluorescing and the glowworms just aren’t, well, glowing. Gently, and armed with homemade moonpies, Millie persuades the Dark to return to her garden and the creatures of the night follow the pair into a safe space and begin to do their magic. A magically enticing smell from the garden tempts several children to venture in and they rediscover the beauty of the nighttime and the news begins to spread until the town of Garden Glen is no longer afraid of the night.

What a fun way to help children in Kinder-grade 3 to think about the dark in a new way and possibly lose some of their fear. Regardless of how children feel about the dark, this is an imaginative book they are sure to enjoy and one that may lead them to imagine wonderful things of their own. Once again, I am amazed at what illustrators can do with programs like Procreate and recommend use of Christy Mandin’s “Saves the Night” in digital design classrooms. Only one thing missing from this Millie-book…the adorable frog, Wart, and I hope he returns in Mandin’s next one.

Thanks for the print ARC of another wonderful Millie book, Scholastic and the 2025 Literary Feast.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see Millie's 2nd adventure was released a few days ago and there was no question, it was coming home to me. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the first adventure (both can be read as stand alones) and thrilled to have this one too. The illustrations, attention to details, and the quality of paper it is printed on, adds to the whole overall effect. As an adult, I buy these for me because of the many boxes of quality these books check off.

Like Millie, I appreciate the very active nightlife of our property residents of possums, raccoons and even the skunks that share our space and come out when the lights are off. I'm really hoping there will be more Millie adventures.

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I do not like this book as much as "Millie Fleur's Poison Garden" which I gave five stars! I love Mandin's illustration style and the premise of this book; Millie wants to convince her neighbors that there are beautiful things to see at night, such as fireflies and bats, if they can be brave enough to turn out the light. It is super cute that the endpaper in the front is covered in lightbulbs while the endpaper in the back shows a complimentary night sky theme. The thing I really dislike about this book is that Mandin personified "the Dark" as a shadowy creature. I wish that the book had just focused on the critters who enjoy the dark instead. Also, in this book, Millie's peers smell her garden from across the glen and are enchanted to follow the scent to Millie's house; five kids with lanterns are just walking around unsupervised in the dark. I wish the neighbors who shown up at Millie's house had been of various ages and perhaps could have included a disabled person, too.

[Charlotte Glaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want the visuals of a spooky story, without any spookiness involved, this is a great pick for the Halloween season. Millie just wants to have a night garden, but there are too many lights in her town, and the neighbors want her to light up her yard, too.

Instead, she is able to bring kids into the night garden so they can enjoy all the night blooming flowers and stars and other wonders of the dark.

I really appreciated this creative twist on an idea of preserving darkness at night. This is an important idea that I would love more people to try implementing. When traveling to "Dark Skies" places in the USA, it's amazing to see how different nighttime looks when there is really darkness. Animals and plants do need darkness, and human light pollution is harming them, but this book keeps this important theme light-hearted and fun.

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of children – and adults – are scared of the dark. This book is for them, as well as people who have learned the wonders that the dark can bring.
Dark is personified here as a huge hairy creature, who is frightened by lights. Millie loves the dark, and wants all her neighbours to understand that a new world is to be found if you can just put out the light:

“ there were things the Dark could share that couldn’t be found in the light”

There are plants, insect, animals than only come out at night. There are sounds and smells that inhabit the dark. And, although the book doesn’t mention it explicitly, the light pollution in cities means urban dweller never really see the stars in all their glory.
Beautiful illustrations. I especially liked the big, friendly, hairy Dark.
Highly recommended

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Wednesday Addams will love Millie Fleur! Millie helps save the Night (personified here as a large, fuzzy creature) and teaches her neighbors a thing or two. The section in the back reminds us of the importance of natural darkness to allow wild places to survive.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated.
I still get a little nervous in the dark, but I have found joy in the dark. Night play and relaxing in the garden listening to all the nightly sounds and seeing the stars, moon and clouds in the night sky.

[Aaron (TheWeirdReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since she moved to town, Miller Fleur hadn't seen a single night creature. Her moon garden struggled to grow.

I first discovered Millie Fleur's Poison Garden Last year and very much enjoyed it. So I was excited to know there's another book. I love any story that's about the dark, as I've always been creature of the night.

Once again our wonderfully weird Millie Fleur tries to convince the residents of Garden Glenn that just because they don't fully understand something doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Or that it's something to be afraid of. " Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again." So she's welcoming the dark back into her town.

Fleur's house was terribly dark and mysterious. But to Millie Fleur, it wasn't dark enough.

Fans of Emma Yarlett lovely tale Orion and the Dark (especially recommend it's animated film) will surely appreciate Christy Mandin Save the Night.🌙 And I personally love that the author chose to show the dark as an actual character.

I started to think, when we don't have a visual for something, when we can't touch it, we can't know it as intimately. I felt like I had written a story that also turned the idea of good and bad, dark and light on it's head. And I thought, maybe I could fill the gap that the dark is softer and not threatening.

—Christy Mandin

One of the most common childhood fear is being afraid of the dark. That surprisingly continues (I come to find out) with many adults as well. But instead, ya'll should embrace it's beauty that comes with it. I love Save the Night even more than it's original story. And hoping they'll be more Millie Fleur adventures. 🌃🍂🥰

You are always welcome in my garden, she whispered gently to the dark.

[Abigail Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told my coworker how I finally pre-ordered the next Millie Fleur book, and she gave me her ARC!! :D Here's Christy Mandin's "Millie Fleur Saves the Night." It's the sequel to the ever-fabulous "Millie Fleur's Poison Garden."

["Wednesday Addams meets The Night Gardener in the sequel to The New York Times bestselling Millie Fleur's Poison Garden. A delightfully peculiar story about embracing the magic of the night.

Garden Glen was afraid of the dark.
Each night when the sun went down, all the lights in town turned on. The houses shone like the noon sun. Every house except for MIllie Fleur La Fae's, of course.
Millie Fleur knows there are enchanting things that can only be glimpsed in the dark. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found.
Determined to welcome the dark back to town, Millie Fleur bakes delicious moon pies and plants a sweet-smelling moon garden. But before the nighttime creatures will return, Millie Fleur must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights."]

I LOOOOOVE Millie Fleur. I love how sweet and dark she is. She's simply herself, even if its different. It's beautiful (and a perfect message for children (people) of all ages).

It was breathtaking how the Dark was a character in this store. By anthropomorphizing it, it became less scary. But giving it a shape, a smile, a personality, we suddenly aren’t that afraid. It’s something familiar and something friendly instead of something unknown. That in of itself is a whole other message of knowledge is power.

This story will help kids learn that different isn’t bad, but also that the dark doesn’t have to be scary if we know what’s living in the shadows.

#milliefleurspoisongarden #milliefleursavesthenight #christymandin #alnwickcastlepoisongarden #books #childrensbooks #childrenspicturebooks #picturebooks #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

[Shaynning - Libraire Jeunesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incontournable Album Avril 2026


Second opus mettant en vedette Millie Fleur, cette fois, Millie veut se porter à la défense des fleurs nocturnes. L'ennui, c'est que pour croitre sainement, elles ont besoin de noirceur. Or, le village où vit Millie et sa mère est particulièrement peureux du noir, alors les citoyens laissent tout allumer pour éviter la moindre présence d'ombres. Comment convaincre les gens de bien vouloir fermer certaines lumières pour que s'épanouisse tout un écosystème ténébreux?

Par extension, le récit nous parle de la pollution lumineuse, celle qui empêche de voir les étoiles en ville et qui n'est pas idéale pour plusieurs animaux nocturnes profitant de la pénombre pour chasser. Cette histoire nous met en face de notre manie de vouloir tout éclairer sans même penser à la charge énergétique qu'elle nécessite. De même, la nuit a ses beautés dont on ne peut guère profiter ( comme les étoiles).

Dans une autre ordre d'idée, Millie et son jardon atypique interroge notre rapport à la diversité. On présume que la nuit n'apporte que la peur et des êtres effrayants, alors qu'ici on découvre la beauté de la bioluminescence, à travers de fleurs aux formes magnifiques et de créatures surnaturelles sombres, mais attachantes. Millie fait découvrir tout un monde aux enfants, moins frileux à la curiosité que les adultes, et ce monde sous couvert de lune leur apporte un nouvel éclairage sur le monde - symboliquement et littéralement.

Un album sur fond de réalité aux accents fantastiques halloweenesques, qui me rappelle les héros et héroïnes des univers Ténébreux Sympathiques tels qu'Amélia Fang, Fingus Malister, la famille Adams ou encore Mortina, personnages attachants, débrouillards et joyeusement atypiques! Une histoire qui mise sur le courage d'oser confronter l'inconnu tout en misant sur une nature incroyable qui n'a pas finit de nous étonner.


Pour un lectorat débutant du 1er cycle primaire, 6-7 ans+

[Deborah Zeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garden Glen was terribly afraid of the dark.

Every evening, as the sun dipped below the hills, the town lit up like midday—every window glowing, every porch ablaze. All except for Millie Fleur La Fae’s cottage, of course.

Millie Fleur knows that some of the most magical things only appear when the world goes dim. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, the night has felt empty—her moonlit friends have vanished.

Determined to bring the darkness—and its quiet wonders—back, Millie Fleur plants a fragrant moon garden and bakes sweet, silvery moon pies. But to truly welcome the night, she’ll need the townspeople’s help. Can she convince them to turn off the lights and rediscover the enchantment that only darkness brings?

Christy Mandin does it again! I absolutely LOVE Millie and how she shows here town how to accept the Dark as their friend. That they are missing all the amazing things that happen in the dark. This was a great lesson for kids to learn to not fear the dark...there's so many amazing things to discover if you just know where to look. The illustrations were gorgeous. I LOVE the sleepwalking turnips! Too cute! The afterward about fireflies surprised me. I had not idea how light pollution is scaring them off. I can remember playing outside late at night, chasing the fireflies around my yard. We don't see those in Texas!

[Robin Berman · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in the series about a young girl, Millie Fluer, who loves unique and creative gardening.

Excellent illustrations.

Excellent book about appreciation of the dark skies, and dark outside in nature.

In her garden, there's certain plants that thrive in the dark. Some glow or emit their own light.
There's also wildlife such as spiders, possums, raccoons, owls, bats, glowworms, and others that are nocturnal- and come out at night. Also insects like crickets that play music at night.

The "dark" itself is represented by a creature made of hay and sticks and natural dark materials with glowing eyes.

The people in the town are afraid of the dark, and have too many lights everywhere.

By the end of the story, she has influenced the other kids nearby to turn out their lights and appreciate the dark.

In the Author's Note at the end, fireflies are mentioned, and one I never heard of called the blue ghost. Then a bioluminescent fungus in the woods is mentioned- foxfire. I never heard of that either.
I'm glad bioluminescent organisms in the ocean were mentioned, and the best of all - the wonderful things that can be seen in truly dark skies without light pollution. Sadly, it's getting harder to find those true dark skies. Where I live in South Florida, the dark skies are found in the Everglades. I still haven't experienced it but it's on my bucket list.

[The Quintessential Quotage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so Millie Fleur Saves the Night is basically a whole mood for anyone who lowkey hates the dark but wants to pretend they’re not scared. Millie’s this vibe queen who straight-up refuses to let night be spooky. She’s out here baking moon pies and pulling bulbs like, “Nah, we’re gonna make darkness cozy, not scary.” It’s like if you gave a kid a glowstick and told them to vibe with the shadows.

The book’s visuals? Absolute gorgeous. Think deep blues and purples with fireflies and glowworms lighting the way; soft-core spooky but make it cute. It’s got those cosy creepy Addams Family meets Magical Garden feels. Perfect for little kids who want to be brave but also lowkey need a nightlight.

Real talk? If your kid’s terrified of the dark, this might still be a bit much. It’s comforting but also leans into the whole “darkness is a character” thing, so some parts are kinda deep for tiny brains. And yeah, it’s short — like, a quick 40-page flex — so pretty decent for a night-time read. It’s sweet, soft, and totally worth the read if you want to switch the whole “dark = scary” narrative.