Starry, Starry Night

This year’s Caldecott medal was awarded to Beth Krommes for her artwork in The House in the Night (2008), a book written by Susan Marie Swanson. The story is built on the bones of an old English poem called “This is the Key,” reproduced below.

The House in the Night is a sweet bedtime read:

Here is the key to the house.
In the house burns a light.
In that light rests a bed.
On that bed waits a book...

Verse rhythm and word repetition highlight words for learning: key, house, light, bed, book, above. Black and white scratchboard illustrations catch and keep young eyes' attention. Key words are pictured in warm golden hues, popping from the two-tone pages. Watch your child’s eyes as you read to see where they settle - on a teddy bear ‘lovey,’ a setting sun, a yellow ball - all are conversation starters.

The last pages show a home full of light. In a moonlit room, on a plumped-up chair, a golden book waits to be read. A child sleeps, tawny bear in arm. A gilded picture frame holds a family photo. A basket of yellow flowers sits on a dresser, perhaps paying homage to the original English verse. Krommes' house in the night is a home full of love.

This is the Key*

This is the key of the kingdom;
In that kingdom there is a city;
In that city there is a town;
In that town there is a street;
In that street there winds a lane;
In that lane there is a yard;
In that yard there is a house;
In that house there waits a room;
In that room an empty bed;And on that bed a basket-
A Basket of Sweet Flowers;
Of Flowers, of Flowers;
A Basket of Sweet flowers.

Flowers in a basket;
Basket on the bed;
Bed in the chamber;
Chamber in the house,
House in the weedy yard;
Yard in the winding lane;
Lane in the broad street;
Street in the high town;
Town in the city;
City in the Kingdom-This is the Key of the Kingdom.
Of the Kingdom this is the Key.

*Excerpt from The Key of the Kingdom: a Book of Stories and Poems for Children by Elizabeth Gmeyer and Joyce Russell