The Midnight Club written by Shane Goth and illustrated by Yong Ling Kang.
Out Now from Owlkids; 40 pages
About the Author: “Shane Goth founded the Midnight Club at the age of four. Many years later when he reconvened it with his two young daughters, he was asleep on the living room floor in minutes! Shane’s short fiction has been published in several literary journals. This is his first picture book. Shane lives with his family in Vancouver, British Columbia.” (Bio taken from book jacket.)
About the Illustrator: Yong Ling Kang “is an illustrator who grew up in Singapore and is now based in Toronto. She has illustrated several picture books, including This House is Home and William’s Getaway. Yong Ling usually goes to bed early, but good company and a great meal will keep her up well past midnight!” (Bio taken from book jacket.)
Find Yong Ling Kang on the following platforms:
The Midnight Club is a heartwarming and delightful picture book about the late-night adventures of two little girls. The story begins as Milly lies in bed, wide awake and waiting to rouse her big sister, Becca, to begin their first meeting of the titular Midnight Club. The girls sneak out of their room, through the hall, and down the creaky old stairs. Then the fun really begins. Alongside club president Oliver the cat, Becca and Milly explore the uncharted terrain of their house by the light of the moon. From jellybeans to shadow monsters and everything in between, this book captures the pure joys of childhood and the special bond siblings share.
Shane Goth’s picture book debut put a huge smile on my face. At once a cozy bedtime story and adventurous romp, I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a long time. As someone who grew up with a sister close in age, I loved watching the dynamic between Becca and Milly play out. It was so sweet to see the way they bonded over successfully sneaking around the house, and all of their antics. Becca, slightly bossy yet always doting, felt like the epitome of a big sister, while Milly’s eagerness to please and impress reminded me of my little-sister self. I love how this story highlights the magical feeling that children (and kids at heart) get when sneaking out of bed in the middle of the night. There’s something special about seeing your home in the dark and quiet, like time has stopped and you’ve entered a whole other world. This book really brought me back to that feeling. Yong Ling Kang’s illustrations capture the tone of the story perfectly. Each page is covered with vibrant artwork that manages to be playful and fun while also maintaining a dreamlike quality. I would recommend this book to anyone who grew up with a sibling, and for night owls of all ages.
PRR Writer, Emily Pimental