Night Runners

In Night Runners, a stag follows a circle of stars in the night sky. He runs into the forest and soon realizes he is being followed by pack of wolves. The stag stumbles on some branches on the forest floor and is injured; the wolves surround him. But instead of devouring the stag, the wolves provide water and care. The newly formed group of friends then continue their journey and find a group of animals having a campfire under the circle of stars. The stag plays his ukulele, and all of the animals dance and frolic around the fire under the stars.

Night Runners is a wordless picture book, conceived and illustrated by Geraldo Valério. The full-colour illustrations are eye-catching, and the animals are cheerful and friendly, not scary for the youngest of readers. It’s a simple and whimsical book that would entertain young children and reinforce the concepts of kindness and friendship. Though the book has been published in hardcover and ebook formats, I would recommend that the publishers also consider a board book format so Night Runners can be enjoyed by all ages. Readers ages birth-5 would particularly enjoy the fantasy, magic, and friendship in Night Runners.