Nocturnal Nico: A Bedtime Picture Book for Night Owls
on Goodreads (22)
What’s inside...
Nocturnal Nico is a charming picture book that tells the story of Nico, a young owl who loves to explore the night. While his friends are fast asleep, Nico embarks on nocturnal adventures, discovering the wonders of the dark and learning about the creatures that thrive after sunset. The book encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and shows the beauty of the natural world at night. It has been selected as the October 2024 Hot Off the Press Children's Book Council Pick, featuring quirky characters and artwork by author and illustrator Gabe Jensen. The book includes a page of backmatter explaining the difference between nocturnal and diurnal animals and the adaptations that allow them to thrive at night.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Nico feels when the sun goes down and he starts his night adventures?
What are some of the fun activities Nico does at night that you would like to try?
Why do you think Nico chooses nighttime to explore?
How does Nico’s world at night differ from his world during the day?
What would you do if you were Nico for a night?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine the sights and sounds of the night as described in the book. Ask them to draw a picture of what they think Nico's world looks like. After reading, spend a moment discussing the beauty and calm of nighttime, and how it differs from daytime. Validate their feelings about the night whether they find it exciting or a bit scary, and relate it to Nico’s adventures to make it more relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of a bedtime routine
Explanation: Through Nico's struggles to find the right bedtime routine, children learn the significance of having a structured end to their day.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by establishing their own bedtime routines, such as reading a book or brushing their teeth, to ensure they get adequate rest.
Example Lesson: Respecting others' schedules
Explanation: As Nico navigates the night, he learns to understand and respect the sleeping schedules of others around him.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be considerate of their family members' rest times, promoting a peaceful household environment.
Example Lesson: Embracing individual differences
Explanation: Nico discovers that being nocturnal is unique and there's nothing wrong with being different from others.
Real-World Application: Children can feel more comfortable with their own unique qualities and respect the differences in others, fostering an inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nico encounters various challenges and learns to solve them creatively, which shows the importance of thinking through problems.
Real-World Application: Kids can utilize critical thinking and creativity to tackle everyday challenges and come up with effective solutions.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Nico's journey teaches that despite setbacks, persistence is key to overcoming difficulties.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of not giving up in the face of adversity, be it in academics, sports or relationships.