Ancient Night by David Bowles

Ancient Night Reviews

• 
  Micah Jones

  Beautiful illustrations and a wonderful creation story. Definitely something I recommend for young readers
• 
  DaNae

  Beautifully illustrated folktale on the origin of the sun and moon.
• 
  Anne

  Such a beautiful book! I wish it'd been around for me to read in my childhood, what with the gorgeous drawings and fabulous tale and all. But since I'm an adult, I guess I have to be happy enough that the author was on a panel at ComicCon at Home back in 2020 (which I attended free online) so his works continue to pop into my sphere of awareness.
  
  Again, so beautiful and rich in storytelling <3
• 
  Peacegal

  This is a unique and ethereal "just so" story about a rabbit, and opossum, and how the moon came to be in the sky.
• 
  Iroquois

  This one was difficult for me to rate for a few reasons but format made a huge difference. I know picture books are not ideal for an audiobook experience but I was tired and I figured it would be interesting to hear how the narrator chose to express the story without the art, as well as give me a chance to hear what pronunciation choices were made for words of Native/Indigenous language.
  
  The pronunciations of such words ended up being ok, but the overall reading felt lacking, especially if wanting to hear it as a bedtime story reading or story time reading with children because it was a fairly dry and conservative reading lol. I was further confused when the narrator then read the end notes lol! It was so much the same dry sound that I hadn’t realized when the actual book part ended and the end notes began until too late haha. Regardless, it’s a very interesting mythology mix.
  
  I switched to the picture book, and wow the illustrations are so beautiful. And even though they’re contemporary they feel as ancient as the creatures of myth. Both the audiobook and the picture book formats took 8 - 9 minutes to complete, so they are even in that sense. But from the standpoint of a reader, especially a child one, it is far superior to experience the story visually as a picture book, like the authors/illustrators intended.
  
  
• 
  Melissa

  Luminous illustrations in rust, teal and olive set against a warm, inky night sky, tell a calm and mythical tale of how two rivals, Rabbit and Opossum, care for, threaten and then repair the moon and the sun. Bowles poetic text is inspired by Álvarez’s powerful and charming illustrations which draw from Maya and Nahua creation stories. Opossum’s regret will speak to all who have given into selfishness. The convivial and hopeful resolution offers a satisfying conclusion to a powerful and soothing tale. Creators’ notes include the Maya and Nahua origins of many of the story’s elements. The only flaw, in an otherwise excellent retelling, is the distracting detail that while readers are told Opossum loses the fur from the tip of his tail towards the end of the story, its tail is conspicuously bald from beginning to end.
• 
  Tom

  David Avarez illustrates a story written by David Bowles that takes two figures from indigenous Mesoamerican lore—a rabbit and an opossum—and recombine their stories to create a new myth. This new story tells of how night and day came to be. Muted colors, backlighting, and black, starry skies animate and illuminate the benign (if a bit silly, in the case of the opossum) and mostly mute rabbit and opossum going about their fated rounds to help shape the world we know. Two pages at the book’s end explain the mythological backgrounds of the tales and the symbols at play. Recommended for ages 4-8.
  
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• 
  Edward Sullivan

  Luminous, enchanting illustrations complement a poetic text to tell this Mesoamerican-inspired story about how the sun came to be high in the sky. Rabbit takes care to watch over the moon, ensuring it never stops glowing and refilling it often with aguamiel. When Opossum sees this, he wishes to have some of the aguamiel, but as he takes for himself, the moon grows darker. Ashamed, Opossum hides until he decides to obtain the fire of the gods, singeing his tail in the process, and places the fire high in the sky—now the new sun.
• 
  Villain E

  A sort of fable inspired by Mesoamerican myth. Stylish. The story could have been more clear.
  
  A rabbit drinks the glowing liquid of the moon and then gathers liquid and refills it. Which I assume is a metaphor for the phases of the moon waning and waxing but the visuals don't back that up. An opossum cracks the moon and drinks all the liquid, then feels bad about it and so replaces it with the sun.
  
  I would have liked the story to continue a few more pages to establish how the sun and the moon share the sky.
• 
  Jared White

  A beautifully illustrated book that reimagines some Mesoamerican myths to tell Rabbit and Opossum's part in caring for the moon and the sun. I have some friends who LOVE opossums so it was neat to learn that they are incorporated into some mythology and that he is wise, silly, and loving towards humanity!
  
  The primary story is fun and the afterward that briefly shares a few other myths the authors drew on are also interesting.
  
  The book is a bit small but I think could work for a small storytime of lower or upper elementary school students.
• 
  Elizabeth☮

  Beautiful artwork. This weaves several traditional stories from Mesoamerica. Each story is described in the back of the book.
  
  Rabbit keeps the moon lit at night. Opossum can’t help but partake of the the sweet nectar that keeps the moon bright. Will Opossum have a change of heart when darkness descends?
  
  It’s a simple story with a lesson in compassion. Best of all, I learned about the various stories originating from the Maya and Nahua people.
• 
  Melanie Dulaney

  The illustrations of David Alvarez and the story from David Bowles, woven from the creation tales of Mexico and Central America, combine to give young readers a fanciful look at how the sun and moon came to light the sky and the Rabbit and Opossum who made it happen. Excellent choice to increase representation in the fables, myths and fairy tales section of any library.
  
  Thank you for the finished copy to review, Levine Querido Publishing/Hachette Book Group.
• 
  Johnny

  This poetic book draws from Nahua and Maya beliefs to tell the origin story of the moon and the sun. Sublimely illustrated, this story reads like a poem, and remains accessible. Backmatter explains the inspiration and traditional influences for the book. This is a good addition to a folk tale collection, especially one where pourquoi tales are highlighted. Best for readers in grades K-3.
  
  I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but this did not influence my review.
• 
  Roben

  As the authors explain in the back of the book -- this is a woven tale. Several different Mesoamerican myths and folklore elements were intertwined to create this lovely origin story of the moon and the sun. Also -- how opossum lost the fur on his tail!
  I really enjoyed this story - and the illustrations! This book is short enough to incorporate it into a story time - about the moon, perhaps? Or opossums! And it could definitely be acted out by a class of kids or adults!
• 
  Rayne Kleinofen

  A 2.5 rating would have been more accurate. The story is intriguing and representing Mesoamerican folklore is important. I love the story and the illustrations, but the execution is a little incomplete. The story is watered down to appeal to a young reader, but in simplifying the story it seems there are questions left unanswered. I had wished there were a few more places within the story that were supported with an illustration.
• 
  Panda Incognito

  This picture book represents a composite of different Mesoamerican legends related to the sun, the moon, and animals at the beginning of time. The story and atmospheric illustrations are more likely to appeal to adults than children, but it's a good book for someone looking for kid-friendly legends to explore, especially since the author shares information about the original legends at the end.
• 
  Bethanne

  Beautiful illustrations tell the story of how the sun and moon came to exist, and why opossums tails have no hair! Simple and understated illustrations capture the reader's interest, while a concise story quickly summarizes Mesoamerica folktales. Notes for older readers are included at the back of the text providing a little more in-depth look at Mesoamerican folklore.
• 
  Michelle Huber

  Thank you to Levine Quierdo for sending me this book!
  
  I loved getting to read about the Nahua people's stories, and I loved the illustrations and the reasons behind it. This is a special story and the author & illustrator brought it to life tremendously. It means a lot to me because I show my son the moon and stars each night.
• 
  Abbigail

  I was surprised that this book was so small. I felt like the story itself was just okay- like we didn't have enough context or story or something- but the illustrations and the backmatter at the end of the book were both wonderfully done.
• 
  Laura M

  My granddaughter absolutely loves this book and wants to get it every time we go to the library!
  Me on the other hand, meh- I am not so into it... but I read it to her anyway because she likes it! :)
  It's different! :)
• 
  Alyssa Gudenburr

  I LOVED this book, read like a fable. However, I don't think kids will enjoy it. Good for kid who like reading fables and fairy tales.
• 
  Alyson

  Sweet little story. Part of my illustrator research. Love the light on the rabbit and opossum bellies.
• 
  Blue

  Stunning illustration!
• 
  S

  Breathtaking and a beautifully illustrated children's book exploring a fable based on mesoamerican mythological characters.
• 
  Jaidab

  I really wanted to like this more, and honestly, the illustrations *are* beautiful, BUT, it was pretty confusing for my 6 year old. She was pointing out things that I really couldn’t explain. 😬
• 
  Kristin

  An spin on a couple of creation stories from Native people. Interesting.
• 
  Tweller83

  5/13/23: I liked this but for some reason I didn't love it. I can't really put my finger on it. The illustrations are great.
• 
  Eujean2

  There is a rabbit on the moon!
  
• 
  Meredith

  Inspired by a Mesoamerican creation myth, Opossum steals fire from the gods to create the sun to atone for dimming the light of the moon tended by Rabbit.