Told from two perspectives—the townsfolk and the "witches" haunting the nearby woods—this unconventional picture book examines the dangers of making assumptions, and of allowing fear to cloud our judgment. As the townsfolk describe the fearsome things they witness, from a procession of witches entering the forest with their brooms to the sight of them flying through the air, the actual people they are seeing describe their nighttime kite-flying expeditions. When finally the two groups meet, misunderstanding is put to rest...

Published earlier this year (2023), In the Dark is the second collaboration between author Kate Hoefler and illustrator Corinna Luyken, after their 2020 Nothing in Common. As it happens, I sought it out because I have enjoyed some of Luyken's other work, and because I was intrigued by the theme of witches who aren't witches, given my interest in witchy picture book fare. I think that the central idea here—that we can leap to the wrong conclusion, based on insufficient information and shallow first impressions—is one that is good to explore, and I appreciated the fact that the author and illustrator chose to center their story around witches, as accusations of witchcraft against unconventional or even difficult women was an all-too-common occurrence, in ages past. I also liked the way in which the book was designed—the spine is at the top, and the wide pages are made to be turned upward, as one reads it—and thought the artwork, made using ink, watercolor, gouache, pastel, pencil and colored pencil, was well-suited to the tale, emphasizing the sense of mystery throughout. All this said, somehow I found that the whole here didn't speak as strongly to me as I had hoped. Although I understand that the idea here is to highlight the two perspectives, I think the text was too abbreviated to really get involved, emotionally speaking. Tastes vary, of course, so other picture book readers might feel differently. I'd recommend this one primarily for personal or one-on-one reading, given the unusual physical parameters of the book, and the thoughtful ideas being explored, as I think it is too complex a book for a successful story hour with a group. ( )