The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers (Children's Picture Book Review)

The Night Gardener

by Terry Fan & Eric Fan

Published by Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
on February 16, 2016
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years
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Literary Awards:NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor Book (2017)Monarch Award Nominee (2019)

Synopsis:
One day, William discovers that the tree outside his window has been sculpted into a wise owl. In the following days, more topiaries appear, and each one is more beautiful than the last. Soon, William's gray little town is full of color and life. And though the mysterious night gardener disappears as suddenly as he appeared, William --and his town-- are changed forever.

Our Thoughts:

One morning, William wakes to find the tree outside his room at the orphanage has been carved into a wise owl. Every night after that, a new topiary appears and excites the neighborhood. But who is creating this magic? On his way home one night, William spots a man with a ladder and follows him!

What a beautiful story!

This is one of the most detailed picture books I've ever come across. You can see every leaf on every tree. It has a traditional pencil-drawn illustration style that includes 'hatching' for shadows. 

There's also a very dated or historical aspect to the drawings. Some of the illustrations are in all sepia tones while others burst with color. 

The story is sweet and memorable with a focus on creativity and bringing a community together but the illustrations really win the prize in The Night Gardener. 

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