Secrets of the stars 15 bedtime stories inspired by nature

K-Gr 3--In 15 brief narratives, Klepeis describes the nighttime activities of different animal species from around the globe. Although the cover promises a collection of bedtime stories, none of the tales have a strong narrative arc and many have no connection to bedtime other than their nocturnal settings. The writing style is largely expository and the prose functions as a framework to deliver facts about each species and its habitat. An additional "The Science Behind the Story" spread follows every narrative, with supplemental facts about the featured species. Young naturalists will be engrossed in these fact-filled stories and the realistic digital illustrations that accompany them. A few of the featured species, such as the gray wolf and snowy owl, are staples of children's nonfiction. Others, like the indigo bunting and the pineapplefish, can finally enjoy a long-overdue moment in the spotlight. Back matter includes a glossary and an index, but there is no pronunciation guide for less familiar words. VERDICT These are not bedtime stories in the way the title suggests, but it's a serviceable addition to nonfiction collections.--Amy Reimann

Following Klepeis'Secrets of the Forest (2023) andSecrets of the Ocean (2024), brief descriptions of typical animal nights. Despite the book's subtitle, these aren't bedtime stories in the usual sense. Rather, they're natural history narratives: slightly fictionalized (the author imagines the animals' emotions) incidents in the lives of nocturnal creatures across the globe. A map helps readers locate them, though the countries lack labels. An Indian flying fox avoids a treetop belonging to "powerful males," gives birth to a pup, and cares for it, followed by a page of bat facts. An episode set in the Florida Everglades is narrated in the second person as "you" hear and see wildlife, including a heron that narrowly escapes an alligator. A page on alligators concludes the tale. The dung beetle's and indigo bunting's astounding navigational abilities are among the dozens of interesting facts Klepeis has marshalled; she also covers habitats, ranges, diets, and more, like the wombat's cube-shaped poop and rear-facing pouch. Several creatures, including the fennec fox, are both predator and prey; descriptions of the hunts provide jolts of excitement. Falkner's realistic illustrations, in vignettes and full-page scenes, supply plenty of detail on the wildlife and their environments. Text in all caps highlights sounds such as the "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!" of a herd of elephants or the "PI-PI-PI-PI-PI-PIEU-PIEU!" of a hornbill. The writing is informative but conversational, perfect for reading aloud. Small scientists will revel in these wild nocturnal adventures. (glossary, index)(Nonfiction. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.