Une nuit, trois jouets sortent de la maison en cachette. Ils ont envie d'aller faire de la balançoire. Mais dehors, qu'il fait noir ! Est-ce bien l'heure idéale pour une promenade ?
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)
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. ;)
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.
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.
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.