Publishers Weekly calls NIGHT CHEF by Mika Song a “heartwarming tale about sharing the joy of food with family and friends” in starred review

Publishers Weekly, August 1, 2025

★ Night Chef: An Epic Tale of Friendship with a Side of Deliciousness! by Mika Song.

Publisher: Random House Graphic.

A raccoon living in the walls of a fine dining restaurant finds herself the unexpected guardian of a baby crow in this wholesome graphic novel by Song (the Norma and Belly series). When culinary wunderkind Night Chef spots an egg in the French establishment’s herb planter, she’s eager to include it in her midnight ramen dish. But once the egg hatches, Night Chef resolves to return the hatchling—whom she names Ichi—to his nest. Leaving behind the only home she’s ever known, Night Chef ventures into the woods. After narrowly escaping a harrowing encounter with an agitated owl, the pair stumbles upon the Mole’s Hole, a worm-forward eatery serving the animals of the forest. With help from the staff and patrons, Night Chef and Ichi redouble their efforts to find the crows’ roost. Throughout the duo’s journey, their connection deepens, bringing to light both Night Chef’s mysterious past before her life in the restaurant and the seemingly serendipitous series of events that brought the raccoon foodie and infant fowl together. Fluid ink and watercolor art bring the world of food-obsessed animals to life as Night Chef uses her wits and cooking skills to brave the outside world. 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. Ages 6–9.