Grandfather Twilight

by Barbara Helen Berger, Patricia Lee Gauch (Editor)

When the time comes for Grandfather Twilight to finish his book and take his walk through the forest, all the creatures of the wood watch his magical ritual as the end of day turns into night.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Classics, Nature, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Barbara Helen Berger grew up loving to draw and paint. She studied Art at the University of Washington in Seattle, her home town, where she earned a BFA degree in Painting. During her five years of study, she also went to Yale Summer School of Music & Art, and to Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy. In Italy she saw the art she had loved from childhood, seen in her father's art books at home.

For ten years after college, she worked as a painter with gallery shows in Seattle. Then beginning in 1980 she turned her focus to children's books. She says, “All along, I loved writing too. My secret wish was to bring art and words together in my own books.”

Her first was Animalia, inspired by illuminated manuscripts (Celestial Arts, 1982, re-issued by Tricycle Press, 1999). Then she went on to create the picture books she is known for, including Grandfather Twilight, considered a bedtime classic, The Donkey's Dream, and A Lot of Otters, (all from Philomel Books). She also wrote and illustrated Gwinna, a fairytale in chapters (Philomel, 1990). In All the Way to Lhasa: a Tale from Tibet, she blended her style with the influence of Tibetan art (Philomel, 2002). And in Thunder Bunny, her newest book, she blends her style with the medium of collage (Philomel, 2007).

Berger's books have won awards for both the art and writing: the Golden Kite Award for Picture-Illustration, Parents' Choice Foundation Award for Illustration, the Children's Book Award from Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and twice a Washington State Governor's Writers Award. Original paintings from her books have been exhibited around the country. She says, “From beginning to end, the process of creating is still my biggest joy.”

Ms. Berger lives on Bainbridge Island, in the Pacific Northwest. She received the honor of an Island Treasure Award in 2006 from the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story with stunning illustrations!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this story are so lovely; soft, glowing, and gently magical--perfect for bedtime! The story is pleasant, too, following the activities of Grandfather Twilight as he awakes at the end of the day and sets about putting the moon in the sky. There was one point in the story that I found a little odd/confusing given the cycle of the moon, but otherwise I quite enjoyed the overall book mostly due to the illustrations.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most favorite of stories growing up. I still imagine I have a room sometimes that is half room and half nature as is depicted in Grandfather Twilight. This book is full of beautiful illustrations, imagination, creativity, and inspiration. I would recommend to children everywhere and even adults who still recognize their inner child.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4**** is for the beautiful illustrations done by the author. Bought at Scholastic book sale for my children. Guess they don’t put prices right on books anymore.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very gentle story about dusk, with sweet and picturesque illustrations.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
4.5 stars for the illustrations

The illustrations in this book are beautiful! The good thing is, they could almost tell the story all on their own. The down side is that I almost found the little text that was there to be confusing. Still is a great story and the illustrations are a true feast for the eyes! Recommended for those alone!

[Allie]

This is definitely a book that was read to me before bed as a child! I didn't remember it at all until I came across it on goodreads and requested it from the library. I remember every single illustration! It's nothing super groundbreaking, but I have very warm memories of this book and I'm considering ordering a copy for my library (provided it's still in print).

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright I am ashamed I don't ever remember this having an actual story lol since I was too caught up in the beautiful pictures, which can tell the story instead. The pictures are softy glowing, muted and just breathtaking in the colors that they give as well as the details of the members within the pictures. If you are into art this book for the pictures alone will haunt you.

Getting a chance to read the story again I can remember it vaguely. The words are simple and easy to read so definitely a good book to get any child started on. This is one book I strongly suggest for any children's library.

[raccoon reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. I loved it, but my son, six, is telling me he doesn't want to read picture books which is making me so sad lol! But there's a loveliness here in this book that's gentle, showing nature and magic unfolding as he walks, regardless of whether you have a kiddo growing out of picture books! ;)

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch the old man walk through the woods, bringing sunset with him.

You can tell this is an old book because it doesn't have the key plot elements that most publishers today are looking for. Yet it's so soft and rhythmic, despite not having a poetic structure.

[Hans Ostrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children seem to like this book, and that's all I need to know.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice folk tale about the moon. Day is done.

[Lisa Corathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, sweet book with splendid illustrations. I love the idea that the full moon grows from a tiny pearl...with Grandfather Twilight's help, of course.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I'm a big fan of Donkey's Dream, also by Barbara Berger, this book doesn't strike me the same way. The illustrations are lovely, even magical, and the text is short and lyrical and nice for bed time, but the theme could be quite confusing to little ones.

Not that they shouldn't be exposed to fantasy and metaphor, but I'd prefer for my small children to think that God is the one who sails the moon into the sky--or even--if subtly we knew that this was a task that was given to the grandfather by God, then I'd be happier with the tale. We are all given tasks in life, some big, and some small, but some things need the help of heavenly strength to be accomplished...

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've read it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandfather Twilight is an old man who lives in the woods and puts the full moon into the sky. This is a beautiful bedtime story, with illustrations that take us to an imaginary world where a pearl grows to the size of the moon and an old man's body blends into the dusky sky. Spare text and creative vision.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent bedtime read-aloud for very young children.

[Jill Pickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luminous. I still have my copy from childhood.

[Shannon Nicole Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite. Enchanting. Ethereal. Celestial, even.

This book is everything.

I only wish I had discovered it sooner.

[Rosalie Beyer-Krohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a magical and beautifully illustrated tale of Grandfather Twilight’s nightly ritual of selecting a pearl and placing it in the sky to give us the moon.

Genre: Fantasy - The story is filled with magic and mysticism, with this god-like being growing a pearl into the moon.

Reading Level: I

Writing Mentor Trait: Sentence Fluency - Each sentence is written to provide just enough mystery to leave the reader eagerly anticipating the next sentence. Students can apply this to their own writing to keep their audience engaged.

Other Class Uses: Discuss other tales of the moon's origin.

[Selestalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my childhood favorites that was gifted to me from an artist who was our neighbor. My mother recently brought out all my old toys, clothes and photos, and other various keepsakes in her attic to give to my children and we rediscovered this book together on her most recent visit. The minute I saw the cover I was instantly transported to a happy place. The artwork is exquisite. This is a true joy for adults and children alike. My favorite childhood bedtime story.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my many favorites as a child. I believe that I love the story just as much as I do the illustrations. There is just something about a book like this to give you a general feeling of peace, especially as a young child. If ever you were afraid of the dark, this book will help you to realize that twilight is a serene time and can be enjoyed by all of us. A definite must-have for small children and adults alike.

[Munro's Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

The velvety-soft illustrations in this book about twilight transforming the world were a key influence in changing how I thought about the wilderness as a child: while not overly cutesy, the forest and its creatures appear beautiful and nonthreatening, and the coming of night is shown as a welcome part of their rhythms. Peaceful and memorable; the perfect bedtime picture book.
-Anna

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my co-workers and I (codename Bakes-a-Lot) were talking about picture books and she brought this one in for me to look at. It's such a soft, good-feeling book. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, the kind that invites the reader/viewer to brush their fingertips across the page. Very pleased that my co-worker shared this one with us.

[Jennifer Heise]

I'm a sucker for imagined-mythology stories. In this one Grandfather Twilight walks through the woods at the end of the day, carrying a pearl which enlarges to be come (you guessed it) the moon, then goes home to bed.
A great going-to-sleep story illustrated with woods, skies and animal friends in calming colors.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this book! I loved the color contrast between the reds, greens, and white/blues that are used throughout the pictures! I like how the text was simple and that the pictures help move the text along.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have owned Grandfather Twilight as part of my classroom collection for years. It is a magical book and the children love it and ask for it often. The illustrations are delightful and the story mystical and appeals to children's imaginations.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story to read a bedtime. I read it and now I am ready to say good night and go to sleep. I totally recommend this for anyone who wants to just get a peaceful night sleep. The artwork is beautiful and soft and soothing I just love grandfather twilight’s suit It is just a really cute story
Recommended? Yes
Buy/Borrow? Either or

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So tender,
soothing,
lulling...
Bedtime
as cradle-time,
no matter your age.
Somehow you sense
that twilight holds you
beloved.

(I weep a little every time I gaze into this book, into the colours. I'm reminded of my beloved Poppa...)

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful classic. Everyone should read this to their children.

[Lizanell · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations and a very simple story