Dogs' Night - Softcover

Hooper, Meredith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845076885 ISBN 13: 9781845076887

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2006

Synopsis

Once a year, the dogs in the paintings in London’s National Gallery have an exciting night out. For a few hours, they escape their gilded frames and are free to run up and down the grand staircases, chase each other round the marble halls, and explore the other exhibits. But four of the dogs overindulge and sleepily climb back into the wrong paintings. When the mix-up is discovered, the museum’s popularity soars! This playful story, with superb illustrations by Alan Curless and lovely reproductions of National Gallery paintings, provides young children with a charming introduction to fine art.

About this title

About the Author

Meredith Hooper was born in Australia. An Antarctic specialist, she has made several research trips to the continent. In 2000 she was awarded the Antarctica Medal by the US Congress. Her books for Frances Lincoln include The Pebble in my Pocket, which is the only children's book ever to be shortlisted for the Dingle History of Science Book Award.Allan Curless was a political cartoonist for 16 years, working mostly for the Sunday Times. His first children's book, Cat's Song with Andrew Matthews, was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award and the Smarties Prize in 1994. He died in 1997.Mark Burgess has written and illustrated over 40 books and illustrated a further 40 by other authors. He lives in Taunton, Somerset.

From Kirkus Reviews

This lighthearted addition to books about art for children combines art appreciation with a twist. Once a year when the museum is empty, dogs in the paintings have their special night out. They romp around the museum and, just at midnight, jump back into their frames. This year, partygoers had food and fizzy drinks in the gallery and the dogs enjoyed the leftovers. When the revelry was over, four dogs jumped into the wrong pictures. A young girl points out the mistake and everyone is astounded. People line up all year to see the unexplainable. A year passes until the next dog’s night out when, dissatisfied with their new surroundings, the dogs move back to their right places. Hooper’s (The Drop in My Drink, 1998, etc.) text is fast and funny, filled with descriptive phrases matched well by the illustrations. Curless, a London political cartoonist, did the initial drawings, but died before he could complete the illustrations; Burgess finished the work in his style. All the dogs pictured are reproduced from paintings in the collection of the National Gallery in London. A picture index of the featured paintings is a useful addition. Text and illustrations combine to make an amusing read and one that will compliment other more serious works about art for children. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Edition details

• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1845076885
• ISBN 13: 9781845076887
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 36
• Illustrator: Curless Allan