Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A raccoon living in the walls of a fine dining restaurant finds herself the unexpected guardian of a baby crow in this wholesome graphic novel by Song (the Norma and Belly series). When culinary wunderkind Night Chef spots an egg in the French establishment's herb planter, she's eager to include it in her midnight ramen dish. But once the egg hatches, Night Chef resolves to return the hatchling--whom she names Ichi--to his nest. Leaving behind the only home she's ever known, Night Chef ventures into the woods. After narrowly escaping a harrowing encounter with an agitated owl, the pair stumbles upon the Mole's Hole, a worm-forward eatery serving the animals of the forest. With help from the staff and patrons, Night Chef and Ichi redouble their efforts to find the crows' roost. Throughout the duo's journey, their connection deepens, bringing to light both Night Chef's mysterious past before her life in the restaurant and the seemingly serendipitous series of events that brought the raccoon foodie and infant fowl together. Fluid ink and watercolor art bring the world of food-obsessed animals to life as Night Chef uses her wits and cooking skills to brave the outside world. Amiable critters are always eager to lend a hand in this heartwarming tale about sharing the joy of food with family and friends, and paying it forward. Ages 6--9. Agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--4--Eisner nominee Song spins a cozy tale of found family, friendship, and food. Living within the walls of a human restaurant, the Night Chef--a raccoon with culinary talent--creates tasty dishes after the staff goes home. One evening, the egg she planned to use atop her ramen yields a baby crow! Naming the bird Ichi, Night Chef decides to reunite the bird with its kin and sets out on a journey that may provide her with a family to call her own. Set in a magical fantasy world where moles run underground cafes and coyotes ride boxcar trains, this cozy and heartfelt story has a dash of pulse-pounding adventure and characters that will enchant readers from the first page. Ink and watercolor illustrations create a dreamily snug setting. An included recipe for Night Chef's "Fly Frittata" is humorous and flexible with ingredients. VERDICT Song's standalone adventure is a recommended purchase and will delight readers who are ready to move on from easier graphic fare like "Pizza and Taco" and "Pea, Bee, & Jay."--Rosemary Kiladitis
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An industrious raccoon helps wherever she's needed. Living in a restaurant, where she cooks creatively and continuously after hours, the pointy-faced Night Chef savors what she can of her life, but hers is a solitary existence. When she unexpectedly becomes caretaker for a baby crow, she decides to find the hatchling's family. While searching, she lands at a tiny riverside diner run by a mole, staffed by frogs, and patronized by a panoply of animals. Thrilled to discover this small community, she dives right into helping prepare meals. Unfortunately, the restaurant is being terrorized by a frenzied owl, whose attacks threaten to shut down the whole cozy, companionable operation. Night Chef continues her journey to find the young crow's family, stopping at an empty diner to whip up a meal for a group of hungry fellow raccoons and leaping aboard a train car filled with barking dogs, but she soon returns to defend her newfound culinary home against their owl attacker by drawing on community connections, culinary skills, and a healthy heap of bravery. Song's lighthearted, expressive character studies and simple, specific scenery, rendered with textural ink-and-watercolor artwork, blend into a true visual treat. Intimately realized scenes of kitchen life envelop readers; Song's imaginative specificity revels in small moments of plating and serving, cleaning and closing, as well as the rich rewards of working as a team. A deeply satisfying adventure for readers young and old. (frittata recipe)(Graphic animal fantasy. 6-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
