Now the boy has a stick, so he can chase away a wild dog or a fox. But what if the sound is a panther...or even a bear? The boy walks faster and faster. The sound gets louder and louder. Terrified, the boy realizes what must be making the terrible sound-the Night Walker! The Night Walker has long, sharp claws and carries a sack to trap all the foolish boys who wander alone at night. Has the dreaded creature come to snatch the boy away? Or could it be something else that has been following him all along? A powerful story with a satisfying ending that will elicit great sighs of relief.
Author Richard Thompson weaves a tale of mystery and suspense with characteristically skillful, rhythmic prose. Martin Springett's sweeping, stylized artwork captures the sense of danger without taking its young audience too far. This is another fine collaboration from the author and illustrator of the best-selling title, The Follower.
"Thompson uses a spare, rhythmic prose style to create a mood of mystery and suspense...The author builds the suspense masterfully, bringing his story to a close in a way which leaves plenty of room for discussion and speculation. Springett's sweeping and stylized paintings match the mood of the tale wonderfully, often employing exaggeration of size to depict the young boy's imaginative landscape. Fox, bear, panther and the dreaded Night Walker are all drawn larger than life. Thompson's text is that of a good storyteller - simple, rhythmic and dramatic. Elementary teachers and librarians should find The Night Walker a successful read aloud. It will be a welcome addition to the elementary library's collection of mythical beast tales and of First Nations' folklore."
- CM Magazine
a deceptively simple fable the scourge of free-floating fear that never dips into the simplistic. Not only do the words resonate with enviable charm, the drawings are equally awe-inspiring.
- The Hamilton Spectator
"Beautiful and evocative illustrations make this story of a boy's adventures lost in the forest, chased by imaginary fears that disappear with the day, come to life."
- Burnaby Now
"A boy collects and stores treasures in a pouch while exploring the outdoors. When night falls, the boy realizes he is far from home and starts to head back. Peaceful night sounds serenading him turn to clinking, clicking, and rustling sounds, which begin to frighten him. He decides that the unsettling sounds must be coming from The Night Walker, a most-feared creature with long, sharp claws who carries a boy-catching sack. In this cautionary tale, Springett's sweeping illustrations create varying moods through the use of different colour hues. Throughout the story, the illustrator creates differing levels of tension by changing the respective sizes of the characters."
- Canadian Bookseller
Martin Springett has earned the Aurora Award for Fantasy and Science Fiction Illustration, and the CLA's Notable designation. Also an accomplished musician, Martin lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife and two daughters.
Nominated for the Shining Willow Award, 2003
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