Dawn and Dusk are magical times. This new hardcover book, When Twilight Comes: The Animals and Plants That Bring Dawn and Dusk, looks at the flora and fauna that show themselves during these hours before and after daylight. The writing by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is descriptive and inviting.
Kids are usually inside during these times when the planet is between sunset and sunrise. They might be unaware of the differences that occur in nature in these hours. This book artfully describes the various animals that show themselves mainly when the sun is down, and the plants that take on new forms during the darker hours.
The pages are filled with colorful art by illustrator Michelle Morin who captures the essence of the planet when the hustle and bustle of daily life retreats. As in the actual timeframe, the illustrations have a darker tone than many picture books. It truly illustrates the atmosphere and feeling of dawn to dusk.
So what happens when we (yes, I am including myself here) are tucked away in our comfortable homes? The book answers that quite nicely and with wonderful images.
The final pages include a glossary of terms to help kids understand the hours of twilight and there are descriptions of the animals and plants (along with illustrations), providing more in-depth knowledge of those included in the stories in the book.
Besides being a nice look at what goes on from dusk to dawn, this is also a good learning tool. The information and illustrations give readers a better understanding of the time of day/night when the sun is not out and when the planet is a completely different place.
When Twilight Comes: The Animals and Plants That Bring Dawn and Dusk to Life is suggested for grades kindergarten to third grade. It also makes a good bedtime book for kids to get an understanding of what is happening while they are sleeping.
- Publisher : Chronicle Books
- Publication date : March 31, 2026
- ISBN-10 : 1797216791
- ISBN-13 : 978-1797216799
- Grade level : Kindergarten – 3
The book is available to pre-order now.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.