Night at the Fair

Step right up! Crews (Freight Train) gives young readers an open-ended ticket to the glittery goings-on after dark at the county fair in his energetic new picture book. In Crews's fair, clusters of food stands and game booths festoon the midway, and Crews perfectly captures the glow of kaleidoscopic candy-colored lights against a black night sky. Bold signs announce Funnel Cakes, Corn Dogs and Win Big Prizes to passersby. In several expansive spreads, kids--their faces flushed with excitement--ride the carousel, giant Ferris wheel and the whirler, which twirl and twinkle like gigantic fireflies in the dark. Crews's text is minimal but captures the thrill of a child ("And now,/ on to the/ RIDES!"). The busy scenes filled with a rainbow of people eating, laughing and carrying stuffed animal prizes will have readers longing for the warm nights of summer and the next county fair. Ages 4-up. (Apr.)

PreS-Gr 2--Opening with the graphic signage of a finger pointing "THIS WAY IN," Crews invites readers to join the crowd streaming through the gates. His prose is spare and energetic, perfect for initiating newcomers to the dynamic pleasures of the fair--the food, the games, the rides. Double-page paintings done in watercolor and gouache offer snapshots of the event bursting with brilliant carnival colors. Lights dance against the pitch black summer night. Observant readers will be tickled to see the author's rendition of himself strolling the midway. The best ride of all, the giant Ferris wheel, stands glowing in the night. The next page is a breathtaking view of the entire fair. "WOW!" is the only text needed. At last, another finger points "THIS WAY OUT," and the crowd files into the shadows. This subject has many sensory connections, and Crews so ably captures them that one can almost smell the food and hear the hucksters beckoning. Clean, large type, much of it white on black, will be accessible to even beginning readers. Urban and rural children alike will revel in the excitement of a Night at the Fair.--Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA