One Stormy Night

by Ruth Brown

A stormy night awakens several sleeping animals

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Halloween

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Born in 1941, Ruth Brown is the creator of some of Britain's best loved children's books. She has created a great many picture books for Andersen Press and is highly respected as an author and illustrator.
She attended Bournemouth College of Art, 1957–59; Birmingham College of Art, degree (with first-class honors), 1961; Royal College of Art, M.A., 1964.
She is married to artist Ken Brown and they have two grown-up sons and one grandchild.

Reviews

[J9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great one for Halloween! After reading A Dark, dark tale, I fell in love with it, and hoped I'd find some more "dark" stories in the Ruth Brown collection. While this isn't dark in any way, it IS, however, a wonderful story with some unusual and completely unique aspects to it. Ruth Brown once again has a flavor all her own with magical illustrations that just pull you into their beauty. The story is adorable, the illustrations are so detailed! My 3 yr old twins and 5 yr old both love Ruth Brown. Just an overall fun book that's a great addition to any children's collection. Highly recommend this author!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book, not only because I love the author, but because of the gothic-like illustrations! Anything spooky and mysterious, catches my attention. This is a great book for children; the story is simple. Once again, beautiful illustrations by Ruth Brown!!

[Lizzie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One stormy Night review by Otter Green, age 8

It was my favourite book so I know a lot about it now.

I think that the puppy is a ghost and he comes out of his tomb and comes to his old country house because I see the dog in the painting. and then he or she or they or it goes to the tomb after night falls.

[Francesca Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found like there wasn't much of a storyline to this book. It entails a dog and events that happen through a stormy night. There is only one short sentence per page which is a simple read for beginners. However, there are some lovely images.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprise ending - cute dog

[Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and a little creepy. The adventures of a normal dog... or are they?

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice. A cocker spaniel is making the rounds in a stormy night...a nice spooky end might give kids a bit of a chill.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story that would be good to introduce early readers to loss.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but touching. It's only a picture book but I didn't see the twist coming.

[Amanjot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful picture book. Ms. Brown has been inspired by the old English architecture and countryside and weaves wonderful details of them into this unusual book. A mild yet effective story of a wispy white dog, whom we see exploring around a manor house one night. Other animals are frightened when he comes near. At the end of the story the dog wanders into the church and jumps up onto the tomb of his master where the dog transforms back into stone - alas he is a ghost! Truly charming, and not scary. It is nice to see something unique and creative like this.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so creepy and weird, but I kind of loved it. I read it to the kids not realizing how spooky it was, so I tried to read it in a cheerful voice so nobody would freak out. It's also just so weird. At the end, I asked the kids what they thought happened. Most didn't understand why I was asking, one said, "He jumped up to go to sleep by a king," (was that a tomb?!) and only one girl got it. She described it as, "He got statched!" Story is so simple, many kids may not get what's happening.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous watercolor illustrations, small format. A dog (cocker spaniel?) is stirred by by the night air, creaks, and the movements of other creatures. There's a good build up of and them a surprise ending is at once peaceful and chilling.

Spoiler

the dog is actually a carving from a sarcophagi come to life

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider this as an early-reader introduction to ghost stories. My boys loved this book. Though it is simple, the book is beautiful for the simplicity, the art, and the romantic sadness the ending leaves.

[Georgina Willetts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first ghost dog story. The dog turns to stone in the morning sun, I didnt notice this the first time.

With just a few word written on each page it was much too short.

[Miracle Wiley · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is good for teaching students about adverbs, and writing. It can also be good for teaching students new words.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was confused about the story. I was confused about who the people in the tomb are at the end, and other things. But overall was okey.

[Eilidh]

A beautifully illustrated ghost story, but, as a child, I found it a little creepy.