Description
Book Synopsis*Winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 and the AOI Illustration Award*
One morning, the Hope family wake, terrified, to find the Black Dog outside their home. Only Small, the youngest of the Hope family, has the courage to go into forest and face the Black Dog. Will the Black Dog chase her and eat her up? Or is it actually much smaller and less scary than it seems?
A poignant and sensitive story, Levi Pinfold's intricate illustrations create the perfect springboard for discussing children's fears, no matter how big or small.
Trade ReviewThe underlying emotional message about confronting your fears is so skilfully and entertainingly conveyed that this stunningly illustrated book works on a very deep level as well as being a reassuring bedtime read. -- Sally Morris * The Daily Mail *
Facing our fears can be difficult. But the more we avoid them the more they take control of us.
In this visually stunning picture book Levi Pinfold conveys this message through clever metaphor.
One day a black dog appears outside the hope family home. Each member of the family sees it and then they proceed to hide away from it. Each time this happens the black dog gets bigger and bigger until it towers over them.
The only member of the family not afraid of the big black dog is the youngest member of the house 'Small'. The dog chases her through the forest, yet Small shows no fear towards the dog and as a result the dog gets smaller and smaller until the dog is back to its normal size.
The family grow to love the dog and it becomes a member of the family.
The illustrations in this book are incredible. Levi Pinfold plays with scale convincingly and creates atmospheric scenes that will pull your focus and grab you attention.
* Magpiethat *
He manages to create a book both reassuring and fun for the very young, while also deep and provocative for the older ages. * Book Trust *
Black Dog is such a beautiful book, I absolutely love it, thank you so much. The illustrations, alongside the story itself, have such a classic picture book feel to them - especially the little sepia picture boards on the left-hand pages. It s so heart-warming, charming, and perfect. Thank you again! -- Phill * Waterstones *
