REVIEWS

In this debut picture book, a brother and sister learn how all kinds of little ones are kept safe by their parents.

Walking with their mother in a suburban park, young Rosa and Travis notice many young animals, including a baby rabbit, deer, and bat, and imagine each time that the creatures must be frightened. The squirrel, for example, climbs high in a tree, and Rosa asks why: “Isn’t it scary?” Each time, their mother reassures the children that baby animals are well taken care of, and their homes—treetops, burrow, swamp, woods, and so on—are just right, “a very, very nice place.” When Travis later worries about turning off the reading light, Rosa reminds him that their bedroom, too, is a very nice place. In his book, Hamilton provides comforting bedtime reading that meets children’s fears with respect and thoughtfulness while also encouraging awareness about animal habitats. The tale’s predictable repetition both emphasizes the message and is itself reassuring. The uncredited full-page illustrations skillfully portray the dark-skinned family and naturalistic animals and backgrounds in rich shades of brown, gold, and aqua that contribute to the story’s nurturing feel.

A wonderful bedtime story. The children discover the synergy between animals and habitat. In the end, they have an even greater appreciation for their own secure and loving family environment.

Isn’t It Scary is not scary at all. It is all about defusing fear and emphasizing the importance of home – for humans and all creatures.

This beautiful story gives us a comforting portrait of nature and family. It brings the mystery and warmth of the natural world into the homes of both city and country kids.