(All illustrations credit: Brothers Hilts)
At 43 years of age it isn’t often that I buy children’s pictures books. In a fit of honesty I would have to admit that this is primarily because of the cost. Children’s picture books can be expensive, which is why when I do buy them it is a special treat. Something catches my eye and my heart does that pitter-patter thing that all book lovers experience when a treasure is spied. I went to my local Barnes and Noble the other day with the express purpose of buying myself a little something to celebrate the 7th year of R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril, and there is was, The Insomniacs, written by Karina Wolf and illustrated by The Brothers Hilts. One look at the cover and a quick read of the subject matter and I was off towards the cash register.
The Insomniacs are like any normal, functioning family. That is until Mrs. Insomniac takes a new job that moves them twelve times zones away. The Insomniac family–Mother, Father and Little Mika–experience the very worst case of jet lag ever. They soon find, to their and the reader’s delight, that night time holds its own special secrets, and one must only be awake to discover them.
Karina Wolf and brothers Ben and Sean Hilts can all lay claim to their own personal experiences with insomnia and what is obvious in their textual and visual storytelling is that they have taken from those experiences an appreciation for the particular beauties of the night. Their characters feel the same frustrations that anyone does when faced with the reality of being tired but not being able to sleep. But rather than letting this situation drag them under, they discover ways to embrace their problems together, as a family.
The Insomniacs strikes a really nice balance between the words and the images, with the work by the Brothers Hilts both reflecting Wolf’s words and also advancing the story. A few comic book style pages with multiple panels and few to no words help to pack more story into the book’s 32 pages.
There is so much to like about The Insomniacs. Mr. and Mrs. Insomniac and little Mika are interestingly drawn and they have interesting work and hobbies. Those little touches are the kind of thing I look for when I read a book like this to someone like my niece. It is fun to point out all the little details that I as an adult can see and understand how they add so much more dimension to the story. The majority of the story takes place in the darkness but there is nothing gloomy or scary about the lives of the Insomniacs. There is no overt message about overcoming night time fear, instead the focus for the reader is just how many wonderful things can and do take place during nocturnal hours when most humans are asleep but so much of the rest of the world comes to life.
If I had a child who was scared of the dark this is exactly the kind of story I would want to read to them, a story that doesn’t once tell them “don’t be afraid of the dark” but does show them just how cool the dark can be. I’d pair it with Blackout by John Rocco and a few years later bring out The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death.
And then of course I’d have a child who would want to live with the lights out and stay up all night. 🙂
The Brothers Hilts made some wonderful choices with color. Besides the use of black and white each page has a predominant color, mostly deep blues, and little touches of color are worked into the images. And the use of light is fantastic. They’ve created images that expertly capture the quality of light in darkness and it is that skill that adds so much to the beauty that The Insomniacs means to convey. That quality coupled with the portrayal of a strong, close family unit makes The Insomniacs a treasure that I am glad to have discovered. I hope this is just the first of many stories by Karina Wolf and the Brothers Hilts.
Need any more incentive? Check out the book trailer. It does a great job of not only showcasing the book’s art but capturing the sweet joy of the story.
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Karina Wolf is a lifelong insomniac and a debut picture book author. Karina studied literature and film in New York, Paris and Dublin, and she works in television and film production. She lives in Manhattan with her dogs, Luca and Barry Manilow.
The Brothers Hilts are Ben (the older one) and Sean (the younger one). They work as a team illustrating, designing and constantly comparing to see whose ideas are better. They too are the products of an insomniac family and a long line of people who stay up late into the night. They now live and work in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
(Copy from Amazon)
What an enchanting book–I love it! 🙂
It really is, Joon Ann. Well worth checking out. I’ve got my wife reading it right now. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this! I love pictures books too, but they are expensive! This one definitely looks worth it, and I love the trailer. I will show it to my son and see what he thinks 🙂
How old is your son?
My wife and daughter (20) and her fiance all read it today and all enjoyed it very much.
He is 6 and my daughter will be 13 this month. My mother made me practice piano and I make my children read 🙂
You are a good mom! And I think they would both enjoy this very much.
This looks really cute. The girl looks just my like 13 year old daughter. She is fond of the hair over the eye look and likes Goth except that is what I used to call it, I think the correct term now is “scene”. I am always looking for new books to take when I sub at the local elementary school, especially ones the kids haven’t heard a million times. I’ll be on the lookout for this.
It was. You should definitely show this to your 13 year old. If she likes goth then I think she’ll like the aesthetic of this book. Thanks for the education, I had not heard of the term “scene”.
This sounds like a delightful little book. I love the pictures, they remind me of Tim Burton’s movies.
Yes, there is a Burtonesque quality to the art that caught my eye right away and as I’m a big fan of that kind of art there was never any doubt that I would be bringing this one home.
Oh my gosh, this looks gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. And the story sounds wonderful as well! (But I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to view insomnia as anything other than awful.)
It really is, Debi. I’ve had the occasional bought with insomnia but nothing major. I think if I had a long term major problem with it I might have to adopt this lifestyle, lol!
I was hooked by the cover and then reading your review I decided that I’d love this book. Sounds like a delightful story and the illustrations are so charming. Great find Carl!
That was what hooked me in too, TBM. I always wander through the kids section of BN around this time of year in the hopes of some wonderful picture book like this popping up and I’m so glad I looked closely last week.
I wonder if I should get this for Lydia.
She wants to be an author but loves art even more.
Maybe she needs to be an author who tells stories through art and uses very few words. She really does hate reading but is an extremely creative artist.
Given her artistic talent and desire to tell stories this might just be a perfect gift for her. If you presented it to her as something that might inspire her to tell stories she would probably really enjoy it. I’ll keep my eye out for BN coupons in the email and maybe it will work out for us to snag it next week when we head to the movies.
Sounds like a plan!
I know that “that pitter-patter thing” of which you speak. what a find, Carl! oh, but I am very much attracted to that art work!! may have to make an unscheduled visit to the library or store to have a closer look.
you know, Natalya would have (and would still) use this book as an excuse to stay up all hours. 🙂
I wouldn’t blame her at all. Heck, I found myself wanting to stay up late last night due to its influence.
I hope you do get a chance to check it out, would love your and N’s thoughts on it.
The illustrations are lovely, and the story sounds cute, too. I may have to pick this up (and I don’t have any kids, either).
You are correct on both counts, Nina. Isn’t it nice to be a kid at heart?
I stumbled on the book trailer not too long ago, and I’ve kept a little reminder note to check it out. Lately, I’ve been reading more children’s books — they help me through reading slumps, but I also enjoy the stories and looking at the wonderful artwork!
If you enjoy children’s books then I do hope you can check this one out at some point, Raya. There are some really great artists illustrating children’s books. Sometimes I think they are under-appreciated.
How wonderful! I don’t read many picture books either but this does look like a treat.
It really is, Kelly. I’m so glad I happened upon it the other day.
Hi Carl
That book looks absolutely gorgeous and defies the phrase ‘you can’t judge a book by it’s cover’!
Lovely.
Lynn 😀
It definitely defies that phrase, Lynn. Quite the treat.