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Synopsis
Late one afternoon a young Native boy goes exploring over the hills and through the forests beyond his home. At his side, he carries a walking stick and a pouch in which to place interesting objects he finds along the way. But as his pouch fills with treasure and he travels farther from home, the boy begins to hear something strange-a clinking, clicking, rustling sound that seems to be following right along behind him.
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.
Deborah Zink - Children's Literature
Amidst the wilderness in the far reaches of northern America, a youngster explores the enchantment of nature. Fascinated by all he gathers, the boy tarries too long and the darkness catches him, playing the tricks of sound and senses only night in a forest can play. Shadowy, hazy illustrations add to this drama starring a Native American boy with universal curiosities and fears. With a pouch full of his collected treasures and an imagination full of conjured danger, he dashes toward home in the dark, listening for the beasts that long to grab hold of imprudent little children who dare to tempt fate and fail to listen to warnings. Author and professional storyteller Thompson embellishes the text with the tense tempo of a campfire tale. The splendidly scary story comes with a happy ending and a cleverly delivered moral. 2002, Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ages 5 to 8.