Ray's children's book, SWITCH ON THE NIGHT, is one of my favorites. As someone who recalls being scared of the dark as a very young child (which was around the time the book was first published), I can only wish my parents had seen it at a bookstore and bought it for me to calm my fears. As for the book itself, not only does it tell a wonderful story for youngsters, but the book's illustrations...by Madeline Gekiere in the very rare 1955 first edition and by the incomparable Leo and Diane Dillon in the 1993 re-issue...match the story wonderfully.

I recall attending a science fiction convention in St. Louis in 1996 at which Ray was one of the guests of honor. The person in front of me asked Ray to autograph his copy of SWITCH ON THE NIGHT and commented, "Ray, I sure wish you would write more children's books." Ray replied, most sincerely, "But all of my books are children's books." I personally think what Ray meant is that his books are meant to be enjoyed by "kids" of all ages, whether they are truly young or just young-at-heart, and he was certainly right!

I had no idea Ray had ever written a children's book. I learn something every day from this board. Now I have another book to look for!!

Another children's book he wrote (he calls it a fable in the subtitle) is:

Ahmed and the Oblivion Machines: A Fable. Ray Bradbury. Ill by Chris Lane. Avon Books, NY. 1998.

Both "Ahmed" and "The Halloween Tree" are about 4th-5th grade reading level while "Switch on the Night" is as simple as first grade level. His collections for young people, "R is for Rocket" and "S is for Space" are about 7th-8th grade level.