Tucholke, April Genevieve. (2022). Beatrice Likes the Dark. Algonquin Young Readers.
Beatrice likes the dark and all things spooky…the attic, spiders, black clothes with little white bats, black cats, dark corners and the night.
She loves being out under the dark sky, with the moon shining bright thought the twisted, magical forests and the quiet. She understood these things. What she didn’t understand was her sister, Roo, who couldn’t be more different.
Roo liked the light…sunny days, and birthday parties, bright colors and loud noises.
She likes the treehouse, and fairies, warm strawberries from the garden, and waking early and bright blue skies.
What Roo doesn’t understand is her sister, Beatrice.
At home, in their farmhouse, their dreams could not be more different, though the share the same bed, and when Beatrice gets up in the middle of the night head into her attic, Roo is scared of the dark and begs her not to leave her alone.
Beatrice takes Roo into the attic and creates a “potion.” Melted snow, orange peel, vanilla, and more. She tells Roo to rub it on her wrists before bed and it will help her in the dark.
The next day, Roo awakes to the sun and takes her sister Beatrice out under the shining sky and teaches her a song, her own version of a potion. She says it will help Beatrice with the light.
The sun sets in many shades and the two sisters, different as can be, sit on the farmhouse steps, howling at the moon and collecting ingredients for potions…a little something for each.
The girls still like what they like, different though they may be, but they LOVE each other, in the darkness and the light.
First of all, I looked up the author and she is a dead ringer for Beatrice. Probably not a coincidence but I loved it. I also love Le’s illustrations. The bright pictures feel warm and you can feel the stillness in the dark not to mention a lot of love and a little bit of understanding as these sisters learn more about each other. I loved it. So sweet, and I kind of wish it had been around when my sibling and I had been younger. I have a feeling it will help a lot of kids, if they find it at the right time. Hopefully this review will help.
Recommended Ages: 4-7
