Molly, Olive, and Dexter Who's afraid of the dark?

PreS-Gr 1--Children who love to observe the difference that darkness brings to the world will be delighted by this enchanting new tale of Molly and Dexter, both foxes, and Olive the owl. The three supportive best friends return for their latest story. As they sit under their oak tree at the edge of a meadow, they marvel at the beauty of a sunset. As the sky turns from glowing pink to deeper lavender tones, they start to notice the sounds and shadows around them. One by one, they become scared, only to be comforted by another friend who sees the truth of the situation. After initially being frightened by "two dark shapes, stretching over the long grass," they giggle together when Molly reveals that the dark shapes are just shadows cast by her ears. They dance in the shimmering raindrops that fall during an evening rainstorm after initially being confused by the sounds of the storm. Rayner's lush, layered illustrations, created with ink and watercolor details over a screen print, capture the mysterious wonders of the night along with the shifting emotions felt by the three animal friends. VERDICT The animals glow in the illustrations, drawing readers into their magical world while reminding them that facing fears with good friends makes everything better. A recommended purchase--Sally A. James

Three best friends wrestle with their fears of the unknown and their own overactive imaginations. In this latest in the popular series, Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox encounter a new challenge when the sun sets one evening. As they watch the world grow darker, each frets about an odd noise, feeling, or sight; each time, they reassure one another that all is well: "What's that sound?" "It's only me--I was washing my whiskers." Then a strange rumbling comes from the sky, and something starts to fall from the heavens. Are the pals' fears justified this time? No! It's just the rain. The lovely cadences of Rayner's text neatly amplify the trio's anxieties with alliterative flair: "The more they look and listen, the more they wonder and worry." The author/illustrator deftly traverses the line between the deliciously scary and the reassuringly cozy. Her mixed-media artwork soars, whether depicting a cheery day full of sunshine or the eerie dusky darkness of prairie plants in a thunderstorm's gloom. This tale might even make for a wonderfully reassuring read on a stormy day--or night. Chills and thrills, presented in a soothingly sweet package.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.