Caldecot Metal Winner: The House in the Night

The House in the Night, written by Marie Swanson and illustrated by Beth Krommes.  The picture book won the Caldecott Metal in 2009. 

I found that the pictures in this book were gorgeous!  I love the play of the black and white scratchboard illustrations paired with the illuminating bold yellows.  They were just breathtaking! 

However, unfortunately the detailed illustrations were really the only thing I enjoyed about the book.  The simple story never engaged me or grabbed my attention.  By the end of the book I found myself admiring the illustrations rather than reading the words.  I enjoy picture books more when I am captivated by the story and the illustrations, but this one did not do it for me.  Younger children may enjoy the book for the simple, repeated, easy to memorize sentences ("Here is the key to the house.  In the house burns a light. In that light rests a bed.").  It may be a book that children want to read at bed time, but unfortunately it wasn’t one of my favorite picture books which saddens me to say because I found the illustrations so captivating!