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Books by Theme » Bedtime » Before Morning, by Joyce Sidman

Before Morning, by Joyce Sidman

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: Oct 26, 2016 ·  Modified: Nov 6, 2022 ·  This post may contain affiliate links

Before Morning, written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Caldecott medalist Beth Krommes, is a stunning winter read-aloud. We love to break out this beauty on a snowy day.

Table of Contents:
  1. Before Morning is perfect for a snowy day
  2. Before Morning is a stunning invocation

Before Morning is perfect for a snowy day

There are some books I love for their subtlety, for their quiet tenderness that makes you want almost to whisper the precious words as you read to your kids. BEFORE MORNING, written by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Beth Krommes, is one of those books.

BEFORE MORNING tells the story of a young girl who wishes for just a little bit more time for her family to be together. The book takes place during winter, and the girl hopes for a snow day so her mother, a pilot, will be grounded and forced to stay home. Through Krommes enchanting scratchboard illustrations, we see what happens as the child sleeps and her deepest desires are fulfilled as a blanket of snow falls outside her window.

RELATED: Looking for wonderful kindergarten read alouds? Check out this excellent list!

Before Morning is a stunning invocation

BEFORE MORNING is written as an invocation, a poem that invites or asks for something to happen. Here, the child asks for air that turns to feathers, earth that turns to sugar, and for all that is heavy to turn light. She dreams of snow giving her just one more morning with her mother before she has to take off again. It is gorgeous poetry, matched by perfect pacing and delicately detailed illustrations that so beautifully enhance the prose. This is one of those emotionally resonant stories that gets you right in the gut, and I have no doubt it will be treasured for years and years to come.

Check out Before Morning at these links!

RELATED: Happily Ever Elephants has more than 100 children’s book lists on the blog. Be sure to check them out! 

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Lauren

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a boy mom, former attorney, current elementary school librarian, and moderator of book clubs for kids around the country. My goal is to make storytime with your children both magical and meaningful. Welcome! LEARN MORE 

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