The Midnight Fair
By Gideon Sterer
The Story
When the fairgrounds empty out for the night, a brave raccoon pulls a lever to bring the rides roaring back to life, and woodland animals slip out of the forest for one wild, glowing night at the fair.
Why It's Special
For the kid who presses their face against the window every time you drive past a carnival at night, this is the story of what happens after the gates close.
- Big idea: Wonder is out there waiting, even in ordinary places, once everyone else has gone to sleep.
- Vibes: Neon-lit, giddy, and quietly magical — like sneaking into a carnival after hours.
Perfect For Kids Who
- love wordless picture books they can narrate themselves
- enjoy spotting small details across busy illustrations
- are drawn to nighttime adventures and secret worlds
- like to invent their own story from the pictures
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & imagination: What do you think happened right before the raccoon pulled that lever?
- Picture reading: What was your favorite thing happening on the page with the bumper cars?
- Imagination: If you snuck into a fair at midnight, which ride would you go on first?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever wondered what animals do at night when everyone's asleep?
- Observation: Can you find the three weasels carrying the soft pretzel?
