Ning and the Night Spirits

Friendship conquers fear in Singapore-born author-illustrator Fong's uplifting folktale. Quiet, bookish Ning, depicted with pale skin and tousled dark hair, lives in a "curious town nestled in a lush valley," where families light lanterns each evening to keep the legendary night spirits away. But Ning, a quiet boy who struggles to make friends, finds other children as scary as any night spirit. Sneaking off to the forest to get away from his parents' concerned whispering, Ning falls asleep and meets a Spirit Light, a kind, mystical being who introduces Ning to other night spirits and helps him rally support for the misunderstood spectral woodland creatures. Fong's largely earth-toned palette and delicate lines portray a lantern-hung countryside village with elements of a magical fantasyland--including snakelike dragons and rock outcroppings that sport faces. A cast of smiling townspeople of varying skin tones lead readers through this dreamlike adventure about beings learning to "celebrate their differences instead of hiding in fear." Ages 3-7. (May)