WHEN TWILIGHT COMES

An observation of the animals and plants that emerge at dawn and dusk.

There are two twilights, and creatures that are active at those times are called crepuscular. Skunks and rabbits, bats and spiders, possums, bees, and other animals pad, buzz, crawl, and flutter across the pages of this beautiful book devoted to these transitional moments of the day. Atkins and Morin don’t neglect plant life, either. Morning glories unfurl as the sun rises and curl up as the day grows warmer and brighter. Aromatic evening primroses open their petals as the sun sets—“ablaze in the graying night.” These verdant visions of natural beauty unfold during a Virginian summertime, with rolling hills on the far horizon, a pond glistening in the midground, and tiny insects and local wildflowers meeting readers near the front of the page—each vista has a delightful depth of field that’s a treat to get lost in. Deftly paced verse accompanies detailed gouache paintings, further encouraging readers to pause and reflect: “The darkness dwindles into a pastel sky,” and later, “day lingers, then fades.” A treasure to share one-on-one or in classroom settings, this immersive visual experience is further illuminated by informative backmatter that includes brief descriptions of the flora and fauna featured in the images.

An enchanting meditation on nature’s twilight loveliness.