Midnight Motorbike

K-Gr 3–A midnight ride on a motorbike introduces young readers to the sights, smells and sounds of India. From the “banyan tree grove…all the way to the big indigo ocean,” mother and daughter zoom through the hot summer air. While the croaking frogs and chirping geckos turn to the quiet stone carved temples, the pair soak up the late-night atmosphere as they talk about the scenes and nature around them. As they journey on, the mother promises that “the belly of the moon will be waiting” for them and that while they ride in the night, that world will fall asleep. Inspired by the author’s own experiences of motorbike adventures, an immersive world of spicy aromas, vibrant colors, and a cacophony of sounds awaits readers. While the story is minimal and may be difficult for younger readers to follow, the combination of poetic text and lush mixed-media illustrations draw the eye into this world. An explosion of colors, rich with texture, and a wide palette of materials creates complex scenery that provides a multilayered context for this story of connection. A loving tribute to mother/daughter relationships, as well as the Indian subcontinent, consider this story as an introduction to South Asian culture or as a centerpiece to thoughtful story hours.