Dogs' Night

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.

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.