Night of the Living Things

Reach for this book when your child is feeling the pressure of perfectionism or struggling to take the first step toward helping others. It is an ideal choice for the kid who loves to play the 'expert' but often gets hilariously tangled in their own elaborate logic. The story follows Victor, a bird with big ideas, and his sidekick Dumpylumps as they attempt to help a friend move a cello. What starts as a simple task quickly spirals into a comical, high-stakes 'zombie' misunderstanding. While the title sounds spooky, this is a lighthearted exploration of creativity and the importance of trying, even when things go spectacularly wrong. It validates a child's imaginative inner world while modeling how teamwork and a sense of humor can solve even the most 'apocalyptic' problems. Parents will appreciate how it encourages vocabulary growth through Jim Benton's witty, fast-paced prose, making it a perfect transition for readers moving from graphic novels to traditional chapter books.