Do you have a favorite time? Time of year? Time of day?
Marcie Flinchum Atkins’ latest book, WHEN TWILIGHT COMES: The Animals and Plants That Bring Dawn and Dusk to Life (illustrated by Michelle Morin; Chronicle Books, 2026) came out in March. This poem-as-a-picture book is an ode to my favorite time!
I’m an early riser. I relish slipping outside just before dawn to drink in “the first twilight.” Of course– because it is MARCIE – ever-gently-teaching-me, it DAWNS on me (lol): A day has two twilights! Maybe I’m the only one who didn’t realize this. I have always referred to these moments as simply dawn and dusk, not realizing twilight describes them both.
So right there, in the opening stanza, I learn something new. Twilight is not just the term for the post-sunset glow. It also describes the light bath that comes before sunrise. But again, because it is MARCIE–– this is not just a story about light. Marcie invites us to step into a world quiet activity…
Squash bees and skunks, butterflies and beavers, opossums and spiders. We see them wrapping up their night work as darkness dwindles. Creatures bumble, skitter, snuggle. My favorite: the beaver, mudding up cracks. Every word meticulously conjures the mystical blend of quiet anticipation – to prepare for daylight.
Marcie is a word-artist. Her sun’s faintest rays graze the morning glory…spouts of blue beckon butterflies. Aren’t these lines delicious?? Don’t you just want to drown in these in-between times?
Of course, picture book magic is born when an illustrator brings those words to the page. Michelle Morin’s watercolor paintings bring forth the finest details of these scenes in muted purples and dark greens. She captures the transitional light with select white outlines and tiny pops of yellow that illuminate nature’s twilight magic.
And the backmatter adds to the STEM-value for teachers and curious kiddos with uncomplicated explanations that offer a further look into the critters of the night.
My four-year-old grandson visited this summer and each morning—AFTER sunrise—he joined me outside. He snuggled into my lap, before his little body began to zip to life, and we sat in the quiet, listening to birdsong. I cannot wait to read WHEN TWILIGHT COMES to him. His mother may not appreciate it, but Grayson will definitely want to join me at the first twilight so we can watch and listen for the bats and bugs, the owls and coyotes. Marcie shows us: these in-between times are special moments.
Go find twilight – the time AND this book! And share it with someone you love!
Molly at Nix the Comfort Zone
has the round up this weekend.
Join us!
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Oh Patricia, Thank you so much for your lovely words! xoxo
What a great review, a celebration, really. I will definitely find this book. Marcie is amazing, I so admire her and her work. Thanks, Patricia.
Your intentional review of Marcie’s magical words makes me want to curl up with a young child in my life (there are many) and take it all in. Thanks for sharing!