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Night at the Fair
A nighttime journey to the wonders and excitement of a fair is presented through the works of a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and highlights such attraction sites as the top of the ferris wheel.
24 pages, Library Binding
First published April 14, 1998
About the author
Donald Crews
44 books52 followersDonald Crews (born August 30, 1938) is an American illustrator and writer of children's picture books. In 2015, the American Library Association (ALA) honored him with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, recognizing his lasting contribution to children's literature. Common subjects of his include modern technology (especially travel vehicles), and childhood memories. His stories often include few humans.
Two of his works were runners-up, or Caldecott Honor Books, for the ALA's annual award for picture book illustration, the Caldecott Medal.
Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. He had an older brother, Asa who became Beth Israel Hospital's first African-American intern, and two sisters. His mother worked as a seamstress, and his father worked at the railroad, and several other odd jobs. For the summers he would travel down to rural Florida to stay with his grandmother, who he called "Bigmama". The difference between the big city and the farm caused him to create two, massively different types of art later on in his life.
From a young age, his talent for drawing was encouraged by his family and his teachers. When he got into high school, one of his teachers became a mentor to him, and personally made sure that he got into art school.
He graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and married another graduate, graphic artist Ann Jonas.
Crews was drafted into the army in 1963, and sent to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina was born in Germany, and their second was born a year later in New York. Nina is also an award-winning children's book author.
While in Germany, he worked on several pieces for his portfolio, including the book We Read: A to Z (1967). After several suggestions from friends, he submitted it, and it was published by Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). The book relied on abstract ideas, rather than the clichés that were usually associated with ABC books. One classic example is the entry for the letter C: "Cc, corner: where the yellow is" is illustrated with a yellow square in the far corner of a red page in the book.
He created several other books over the next few years, but it was 1978's Freight Train that won him a Caldecott Honor and the respect of other artists in the field. He won another Caldecott Honor the next year for Truck. Several other transportation themed books followed, such as School Bus (1984), Flying (1986), and Sail Away (1995). His memories from his summers in Florida first appeared in Bigmama's and later in Shortcut. These stories are vastly different from his previous works, in that they focus on humans, and tell a more linear story.
Crews and his wife currently live in the state of New York in an old, restored farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Two of his works were runners-up, or Caldecott Honor Books, for the ALA's annual award for picture book illustration, the Caldecott Medal.
Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. He had an older brother, Asa who became Beth Israel Hospital's first African-American intern, and two sisters. His mother worked as a seamstress, and his father worked at the railroad, and several other odd jobs. For the summers he would travel down to rural Florida to stay with his grandmother, who he called "Bigmama". The difference between the big city and the farm caused him to create two, massively different types of art later on in his life.
From a young age, his talent for drawing was encouraged by his family and his teachers. When he got into high school, one of his teachers became a mentor to him, and personally made sure that he got into art school.
He graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and married another graduate, graphic artist Ann Jonas.
Crews was drafted into the army in 1963, and sent to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina was born in Germany, and their second was born a year later in New York. Nina is also an award-winning children's book author.
While in Germany, he worked on several pieces for his portfolio, including the book We Read: A to Z (1967). After several suggestions from friends, he submitted it, and it was published by Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). The book relied on abstract ideas, rather than the clichés that were usually associated with ABC books. One classic example is the entry for the letter C: "Cc, corner: where the yellow is" is illustrated with a yellow square in the far corner of a red page in the book.
He created several other books over the next few years, but it was 1978's Freight Train that won him a Caldecott Honor and the respect of other artists in the field. He won another Caldecott Honor the next year for Truck. Several other transportation themed books followed, such as School Bus (1984), Flying (1986), and Sail Away (1995). His memories from his summers in Florida first appeared in Bigmama's and later in Shortcut. These stories are vastly different from his previous works, in that they focus on humans, and tell a more linear story.
Crews and his wife currently live in the state of New York in an old, restored farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 23, 2022
Rating: 4.63 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 3.5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yeah
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 3.5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Book
Worth?: Yeah
October 25, 2024
I'm used to Donald Crews pairing exceptional artwork with very rudimentary story, as he did in Freight Train and Truck, which earned Caldecott Honors in 1979 and '81, respectively. The story in Night at the Fair is at least equal to the illustrations, a look at the wonder of a carnival beneath satin black skies. The neon lights are bright, the calliope music loud; anything feels possible alongside friends or family on a night like this.
When the sun sets, the fair becomes a magical arena. Concession stands sell every fun food you'd imagine; a midway with games of skill and chance tease the potential to win major prizes; roller coasters and other rides elicit screams of fear and delight. A giant Ferris wheel lifts you high in the sky to survey every corner of the fairgrounds at once, a look back at the fun you've had and what still awaits. The evening’s enchantment could hardly be improved.
Night at the Fair is some of Donald Crews's finest work, a celebration of life and the joy that may be right around the corner as we venture out in the world. You’ll spot Donald Crews himself, camera around the neck, on the right-hand half of the page with the RACE FOR PRIZES promo near the top. This book isn't as popular as others by the author, but I'm impressed; I rate it two and a half stars and almost rounded to three.
When the sun sets, the fair becomes a magical arena. Concession stands sell every fun food you'd imagine; a midway with games of skill and chance tease the potential to win major prizes; roller coasters and other rides elicit screams of fear and delight. A giant Ferris wheel lifts you high in the sky to survey every corner of the fairgrounds at once, a look back at the fun you've had and what still awaits. The evening’s enchantment could hardly be improved.
Night at the Fair is some of Donald Crews's finest work, a celebration of life and the joy that may be right around the corner as we venture out in the world. You’ll spot Donald Crews himself, camera around the neck, on the right-hand half of the page with the RACE FOR PRIZES promo near the top. This book isn't as popular as others by the author, but I'm impressed; I rate it two and a half stars and almost rounded to three.
April 17, 2022
I actually read this book years ago so this was a reread. The illustrations of the people were a bit weird, but perfect for the mood of the book. The copy I read was ripped and tatty. The pages were even partly torn away from the binding. I loved it! The sign of a well loved book.
November 6, 2023
I have always been a longtime fan of Donald Crews’ work and mainly have seen his “transportation” titles. Upon discovering this one I was amazed at the level of detail in each of the illustrations of all the people, the food, the games and prizes, and the rides of the county fair. Crews truly captures the essence of what a true County fair was/is to the residents of counties fortunate enough to have had these events in their lives.
If I were working with senior adults I would use this title as a discussion starter about their experiences at county fairs and carnivals. There would be some incredible memories.
If I were working with senior adults I would use this title as a discussion starter about their experiences at county fairs and carnivals. There would be some incredible memories.
December 12, 2017
Most children get to go to the fair at some point in their lives. I enjoy how the colors and feeling of the fair at night are captured in this. I feel that is pairs nicely with “Carousel” in discussing summer activities and festivities.
September 16, 2020
I did really enjoy the illustrations, but I thought the book was lacking.
I read this book to my class and we did a fun activity of trying to create our own fair theme. It was a good book to get kids thinking about experiences they have had or to get them to imagine / create.
I read this book to my class and we did a fun activity of trying to create our own fair theme. It was a good book to get kids thinking about experiences they have had or to get them to imagine / create.
August 16, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations!
September 20, 2018
A beautiful exploration of light at night. Illustration is the big deal in this book.
September 10, 2019
Would be a fun book to read with a kid.
December 29, 2021
Art--100. Other than that, just not a lot else to it.
October 30, 2024
Nice picture of what a fair is!
August 23, 2010
The community fair, complete with rides, games, and funnel cakes is an old American institution, imported from Europe, whose popularity persists despite many changes in our social rhythms. Donald Crews gives a childs-eye view of the fair, capturing well the sense of noisy excitement and fun that pervades the event. His bright colors, flashing against a darkened sky, show the rides and games up well, and it's almost possible to hear the hawkers inviting visitors to try out the games. In this fair there are no animals competing for prizes, only games, food, and rides; but there is an enjoyable self-portrait of the author on page seven. As always, Crews captures the mood of a complex social phenomenon with what looks like effortless skill.
This book, with its bright colors, minimal text, and easy-to-understand pictures, and general sense of excitement, is a good choice for preschoolers who will soon attend (or who wish to relive) a local fair.
This book, with its bright colors, minimal text, and easy-to-understand pictures, and general sense of excitement, is a good choice for preschoolers who will soon attend (or who wish to relive) a local fair.
May 13, 2014
The book begins at the main gate of a fair where people are lining up to buy tickets and are drawn by the lure of the bright lights. With the black background, the watercolor pictures pop, especially the yellow and white lights. The individual faces could have had more detail and expression on several of the pages. Each double spread illustration gave a clear idea of the exuberance and clutter of the fair.
The story was lacking. Basically, we are taken on a tour of the sites at the fair. There is no central character to follow. There is absolutely no tension in the story at all. It feels more like a collection of drawings than a storybook. It could be used to build a child’s excitement before his first trip to the fair, but otherwise it’s the kind of book that would be looked through once with mild interest.
Not recommended.
For more picture book reviews, go to bferrante.wordpress.com/
The story was lacking. Basically, we are taken on a tour of the sites at the fair. There is no central character to follow. There is absolutely no tension in the story at all. It feels more like a collection of drawings than a storybook. It could be used to build a child’s excitement before his first trip to the fair, but otherwise it’s the kind of book that would be looked through once with mild interest.
Not recommended.
For more picture book reviews, go to bferrante.wordpress.com/
September 27, 2012
This book is all about how the best time to go to the fair is at night because that is when the people could see the lights. It goes through all the things that can be done at the fair like eat, play games, win prizes, and go on rides. It says that the best ride is the Ferris wheel because from the top you can see all the fair and you can see what you have done and what is still to be done. This book reminded me of when I went to the fair and how the Ferris wheel was my favorite ride.
September 20, 2011
This was a book with some amazing illustrations. It takes place at a fair. It would be a good book to read to children when it is fair time. It would help them relate to things that they may of done over the summer. It also has a picture of the author/ illustrator in the illustrations which would be something that you could talk to the class about.
May 2, 2013
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. After spending time on each page I am easily transported back to hot, hazy summer evenings at amusement parks and county fairs - the sights, sounds, smells, tastes... Even though there wasn't much text, I spent a lot of time describing my experiences and memories to my kids.
February 18, 2009
This would be a great addition to a summer storytime or summer collection of books. All about going to the fair. Very few words. Dark pictures help to portray the surreal feeling of visiting at night.
July 22, 2009
We read this in anticipation of attending the Ohio State Fair next week. The illustrations are awesome. There is one of the lights on an amusement ride that is so bright, it's as if it's electrified.
February 4, 2010
A lovely "small moments" book from Donald Crews, and one that offers lots of opportunities to turn and talk about rides and foods and other Fair excitements. Does a lovely job of evoking the feeling of an exciting night out.
March 3, 2011
This book shows and tells all the different things you can do and see at a fair. I like this book because of the vivid pictures that the illustrator painted. With this book I would have my students write a story for each picture since there are few words used in this book.
April 6, 2009
We usually really like Donald Crews, but we weren't feeling this one.
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October 27, 2011I think student's would like this book because it portrarys something almost everyone has experienced, a fair. I got it from the IUS Library.
June 8, 2012
Age: Preschool - Kindergarten
Season: Summer
Sparse worded text invites children and caregivers to talk about the many adventures at the fair.
Season: Summer
Sparse worded text invites children and caregivers to talk about the many adventures at the fair.
October 15, 2012
This book has so few words it could be good for ESL, the pictures seem a bit out dated. You could use this book just to describe the pictures.
November 20, 2015
He drew himself in the story!!
July 6, 2016
Used in Storytime 8/2016
October 4, 2019
This picture book explores what it is like to go to the fair at night. It is beautifully illustrated and perfectly captures the splendor of all the lights from the rides and attractions.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews