The Park in the Dark

by Martin Waddell, Barbara Firth

A hugely endearing picture book from the makers of the Big Bear and Little Bear series. When the sun goes down and the moon comes up, the toy monkey and his friends, Loopy the elephant and Little Gee the dog, creep softly out of the bedroom, down the stairs and through the dark hall on their way to the deserted park. The park's an exciting place to be after dark, though a little bit scary - especially when the Thing (a night train) hurtles out of the darkness, seeming to chase them. Then the three friends run all the way home and jump back into bed, safe and sound once more. Now a classic story, The Park in the Dark won the 1989 Kurt Maschler Award and has now been reissued to appeal to a new generation of young children.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure

30 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_W...

Also writes under the pen name Catherine Sefton

Martin Waddell is the author of more than one hundred books for young readers.

Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2004).

Reviews

[Seth Golbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bedtime story sets an unsettling mood for the opening scenes of "The Hanging Garden," a British television production of Ian Rankin's book. Its use there set off a little mystery of its own, as viewers sought the source of the haunting voiceover, which did not appear in the book. Rankin remained mum. (see The Hanging Garden)

[Erin Hendrian]

Strangely, this is one of the children's books I most remember from when I was little - it creeped me out but there was something about it that fascinated me too. I only JUST realized reading it now as an adult that the THING was a monorail... when I was little I thought this vague, creepy, unnamed horror (real or imagined) that was following them was something actually out to get them. So apparently as a child I made it much more creepy than it actually is, haha. ;)

[John Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waddell has to be one of my favourite picture book authors, and this is a beautiful example. Barbara Firth's evocative illustrations perfectly match the wonderous, lyrical prose.

[Bayneeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the book Inspector Rebus (played by John Hannah) reads to his daughter when she is in the hospital in a coma in the SMG 2006 television series. Very compelling with his Scottish accent.

[Catherine Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book used to scare the crap out of me as a kid.
But it is brilliant. Probably the book of my early childhood.

[Capn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Have just read it for the first time as an adult. Something about it is so pleasing and sweet, and the imagined terrors of the night-adventuring stuffed animals are perfectly described (and partially, suggestibly illustrated). I think the repetition and rhyming scheme makes for perfect bedtime reading.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got obsessed with this because of a Rebus episode and I am not sorry

[Karl Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a favourite of my kids (now in their 30's) for their night time read, I loved reading it to them. now we read it to are granddaughters.

[Sarah Trood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fave book of all time those three were amazing poor little gee getting frightened by the train and all the scary trees