The Very Noisy Night

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Conventions: There is a lot of punctuation in this book used properly, which would help support a better understanding of the function of punctuation in writing. Description: Little Mouse, the main character we follow, feels scared when he lies in bed at night. From the sound of the wind, tapping branches, the hoot of an owl and all the bumps in the night, he struggles to fall asleep. Although he asks Big Mouse to come in his bed every time he gets scared, Big Mouse does not want to share his bed and is determined that Little Mouse should sleep alone. After being woken every single time Little Mouse is scared, Big Mouse eventually is so exhausted he lets Little Mouse in his bed and they both sleep soundly. Word Choice: The words are age appropriate, rich, colorful, as well as precise, and communicates in a way that moves and enlightens the reader. He could feel Sun's hesitance, but also the slight relaxation of his hold over Moon's running processors. <...it is quieter in here,> he finally agreed.

Classroom Integration: This would be a great text to share in a writing workshop as it has a great sense of idea, theme, and flow. It may be a great way for students to reflect on how to tell a story about a particular emotion they have such as fear, which is displayed in this storybook. It would also be a great book to keep in the classroom library as it has vivid imagery that draws students in and utilizes their imagination. It seems like a text that would be reread by students and thought provoking. He towels himself off to the best of his ability, but his clothes are so waterlogged and he’s so tired that it’s impossible for him to get fully dry. Eventually he gets too tired to keep standing and sinks down onto the closed lid of the toilet, where he halfheartedly dries off his hair. But this means he’s completely alone. He half wishes he could trade places with Chris, really, he thinks, as he lies atop his sweaty sheets with his face pressed into a pillow. He’s miserable enough to want to be in the presence of someone who cares about him. Someone who will put a hand to his forehead and touch his hair and bring him water so he doesn’t have to drag himself to the kitchen while trying his hardest not to pass out.

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You need rest mode tonight,> Moon tried again, internally this time, more snarled than comforting despite his position as the Naptime Attendant. He couldn't help it, he was frustrated. Sun was driving him crazy with all of his anxiety, and the hammering of the torrent on the roof of the Pizzaplex was already enough to set him on edge. He drummed his fingertips against the sides of the barrels before leaping off again, crawling on all fours along the floor. Sun didn't immediately reply, but Moon could sense his curiosity, anxious, but tentatively inquisitive. he began, but was cut off by another strike of thunder. I keep my threads tidy enough, thank you!> Sun replied stiffly, momentarily distracted out of his anxiety by the utter audacity. Organization: Development of a central theme is strong and meaningful, also a sense of anticipation is developed in the story.

Diana Hendry grew up by the sea and has worked as a journalist, English teacher and tutor in Creative Writing at the University of Bristol. Her poetry has won a number of awards including first prize in the 1996 Housman Society Competition. From 1997-1998 she was Writer in Residence at Dumfries & Galloway Royal Infirmary. She lives in Edinburgh. It starts to rain. And it’s not a drizzle, either. Thunder rolls across the sky and lightning flashes and within seconds it’s pouring. The cold rain soaks Eddie to the core and for a few moments it actually feels good, because he’s definitely not sweating anymore. But then the coldness catches up to him and he starts shaking and he’s probably never been this cold in his whole life. He wants to sit down. He wants to crawl into his bed and fall asleep. He wants someone to wrap him in a blanket and pull him inside and hold him until he stops shivering. Sorry, sorry,> he whimpered in response, strung tighter than a violin and twice as screechy. Another deafening boom shook the walls of the daycare, causing Moon to leap up several feet in surprise for about the twentieth time that night. The summer storm overhead had been raging for hours, and the thunder and lightning was near constant. The Pizzaplex still had power, for now, though it was nearing two in the morning and the daycare's lights were off, leaving Moon in charge.Moon paused for a moment, silently calculating, and drew himself up to full height. "2,378 open processes," he replied aloud. me too, Sunny,> he tried, putting a hand to his faceplate. He paused for a moment, just listening to the sound of the rain hammering the roof. Then suddenly, he brightened. <...I have an idea.> Genre Specific Characteristics: Story with a lot of imagination; a plot that is simple, clear and brief; illustrations portray the setting and establish a connection to the location, including time and place as well as creating a mood; the theme is related to a child’s understanding and helps them to deal with a problem situation; words are carefully selected to create vivid imagery and mood; elements of humor are mixed it to lighten the mood a little; animals that talk and act like people but still portray some traditional animal traits and setting. A bonus too, as a co-sleeping family, it has also really helped to teach our son about different sleeping spaces - he’s just upgraded to his own bed (next to mummy’s side of course!) but he understands that if he wants to come into big mouses (our) bed, he can! It’s made the transition that much easier :)