Night Chef

Night Chef

An Epic Tale of Friendship with a Side of Deliciousness! (A Graphic Novel)

Paperback

Grades 1–4
Ages 6–9

Ratatouille meets the magic of Studio Ghibli as a lonely raccoon who secretly lives inside a fine French restaurant and yearns to be a chef must venture into the woods for the first time to help a baby crow find its home.

A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR


The Night Chef has never had a family—only a dream.

She’s spent years living inside the walls of a human restaurant, honing her cooking skills. She knows she can fry an omelette with the best of them—but she also knows that humans will never accept her. And so she keeps to herself, hidden and alone.

Then, one evening, when Night Chef cracks an egg open for her dinner, a baby crow named Ichi falls out! Despite being reluctant to leave her home, Night Chef steps into the wilds in order to reunite Ichi with his family. And along the journey, she might just find a family to call her own, too.

★ "Amiable critters are always eager to lend a hand in this heartwarming tale about sharing the joy of food with family and friends, and paying it forward." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "A deeply satisfying adventure for readers young and old." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Warm, endearing.... Future chefs will rejoice to have another brilliant cook in the graphic novel world." —The Bulletin, starred review

"[A] gentle animal adventure with foodie flair." —Booklist

"This cozy and heartfelt story has a dash of pulse-pounding adventure and characters that will enchant readers from the first page." —School Library Journal

"Night Chef will feed young animal-loving readers who want a gentle community story." —BookPage

ISBN 9780593303146 (Paperback)
Published on Oct 28, 2025
Published by Random House Graphic
Pages 160
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 6-9 years
Grade Grades 1-4
Reading Level Lexile: 470L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

ISBN 9780593303153 (Hardcover)
Published on Oct 28, 2025
Published by Random House Graphic
Pages 160
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 6-9 years
Grade Grades 1-4
Reading Level Lexile: 470L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

ISBN 9780593303160 (Hardcover Library Binding)
Published on Oct 28, 2025
Published by Random House Graphic
Pages 160
Dimensions 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Age Range 6-9 years
Grade Grades 1-4
Reading Level Lexile: 470L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

ISBN 9780593303177 (Ebook)
Published on Oct 28, 2025
Published by Random House Graphic
Pages 160
Age Range 6-9 years
Grade Grades 1-4
Reading Level Lexile: 470L | Fountas/Pinnell: O

Mika Song

MIKA SONG is a children’s writer and illustrator who likes to make stories about sweetly funny outsiders. She grew up in Manila, Philippines and Honolulu, Hawaii before moving to New York to study animation at Pratt Institute. She worked in children’s educational animation before devoting herself to writing and illustrating children’s books. These days she draws in her tiny apartment in Chinatown and volunteers as a Reading Partners tutor with upper elementary kids.

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Board & Picture Books

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Chapter Books

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Graphic Novels

Back to Explore Books

Back to Series

Middle Grade

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Spring

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Summer

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Fall

Back to Explore Books

Back to Seasons & Holidays

Winter

Random House Children's Books