Pownal Street Press is thrilled to announce the October 13, 2026 release of Nina and the Missing Night written by Natalia Paruzel-Gibson and illustrated by Andie Lafrentz.
Nina and the Missing Night
ISBN: 9781998129997
$CAD 24.95 | Hardback
When Night doesn’t arrive, the world forgets how to rest.
As endless daylight stretches on, streets grow weary, flowers bow their heads, and people fall out of kilter. Missing her beloved starlight rituals, Nina sets out on a brave and tender journey to find Night and bring her home. Nina and the Missing Night is a poetic, atmospheric picture book about slowing down, listening, and remembering the quiet magic of rest. With luminous illustrations and a soothing read-aloud rhythm, this story invites young readers to honour nighttime as a place of comfort, connection, and calm. Perfect for bedtime—and for anyone who has ever missed the stars.
“Nina and the Missing Night reminds us of the restorative power of Night,” says Editorial Director Mo Duffy, “but also of the courage of one little girl to go on a quest to reinstate what’s missing. We should all be so brave.”
About the Author
Growing up in Poland with a front-row seat to the world of imagination, Natalia Paruzel-Gibson has been crafting stories for children for over a decade, drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a mother and her ongoing journey to see the world through a child’s eyes. With a degree in Drama and Photography at the Etobicoke School for the Arts and a Masters of Arts from the University of Toronto, she is the author of Something Lost, Something Found and A Picture Day to Remember. Nina and the Missing Night is her third book for children.
Find out more about Natalia and her work at https://www.nataliawritesbooks.com
About the Illustrator
Andie Lafrentz is a self-taught artist based in Calgary, Alberta, working primarily in watercolor and ink. Inspired by travel, architecture, and landscapes across Europe and Canada, her work captures the feeling of place through vibrant color. She also explores oil painting and occasional fantasy themes, creating expressive pieces that evoke nostalgia, wonder, and a sense of adventure. Nina and the Missing Night is her first book for children. Find out more about Andie and her work at https://andielafdesigns.com
Pownal Street Press is PEI’s newest publishing house. Women-owned and women-led, friendly, warm and professional: We exist to give rise to brave stories, and to be a light for community and connection. With distribution through Raincoast Books (Canada) and Orca Books (US), Pownal Street Press’ titles have national reach but local heart. For more information about the Press and its books, please visit: www.pownalstreetpress.com.