I was gifted the picture book Hugged By The Night by Harold Green III, with illustrations by Karabo Poppy, and I can honestly say I've never come across a children's book quite like this before. It's absolutely exquisite! The rhyming is smooth and engaging, and I love how it taps into the idea that children often relate to animals more easily than humans. The way the animals respond to the night sky and find comfort is both soothing and heartwarming. This book makes for a perfect bedtime read, especially for kids who might feel anxious about the dark. I also appreciate the deeper tonal layers—how the animals' eyes are often the first thing you notice in the darkness, which adds a lovely sense of calm and connection.
Harold Green is an ever-evolving artist whose vibrant storytelling and passionate, lyrical delivery captivate audiences domestically and internationally. Using poetry as his central art form, Green is a highly sought-after speaker, bandleader, and event producer. His self-published first collection of poetry (From Englewood, with Love, 2014) earned the prestigious Carl Sandburg Literary Award. Harold’s commercial publishing debut is BLACK ROSES and BLACK OAK, a duo of illustrated volumes inspired by his viral odes to Black celebrities who are making history today (HarperDesign, 2022), followed by his children’s board book series, SUNDAY ADVENTURES, has made it’s debut with leading titles THE RAINBOW PARK and THE NUMBER STORE (Running Press Kids, 2023), and his debut picture book, LOVE BUBBLE (Running Press Kids, 2023). As well as his picture book HUGGED BY THE NIGHT (Chronicle Books, 2026).
Karabo Poppy is a multi-award winning illustrator, graphic designer and street artist based in Johannesburg South Africa.
