The Night Walk - by Marie Dorleans (Hardcover)

About the Book

A family goes on a midnight walk and takes in the beauty of the night and the natural world.

Book Synopsis

An award-winning picture book about a family's midnight adventure - a contemporary Owl Moon.

A 2021 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book which has received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, The Horn Book and Booklist.

Mama opened our bedroom door. "Wake up, you two," she whispered. "Let's go, so we get there on time."

Excited, the sleepy family step outside into a beautiful summer night. The world is quiet and shadowy, filled with fresh smells and amazing sights. Is this what they miss when they're asleep?

Together, they walk out of their sleeping village. What will they find in the dark landscape?

This beautiful and evocative book movingly recalls family trips and the excitement of unknown adventure, while celebrating the awe-inspiring joy of the natural world.

Review Quotes

A 2021 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book

'Awash in nocturnal blue, Dorleans' graphite pencil illustrations of a family of night time explorers evoke a luminous sense of wonder.' --The New York Times

'Suspense builds as sparse beams of light illuminate the darkness page by page and each spread carries the family forward through the night. A graceful, perfectly paced appreciation of nature.' --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

'Breathtaking... Here night isn't scary; the unknown is exhilarating and the ending sunny and clear.' --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

'This hushed, intimate picture book creates a respite from the demands of the daytime world and pulls readers into a moment of pure wonder and peace.' --The Horn Book , STARRED REVIEW

'I love, love, LOVE this book. It captures everything wonderful about family night time adventures, both the hushed tone and the quiet magic of earth, air and sky. --Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon

'Beautifully composed and often striking... This rewarding picture book invites children to experience a memorable encounter with the natural world.' --Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

'This picture book is full of vivid sensory details and atmospheric illustrations that create an experience of nature that both the young and young at heart will certainly cherish... Awe-inspiring.' --Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Marie Dorleans studied Art and History of Art at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France. She graduated in 2010 and has worked as a children's book illustrator since then. The Night Walk is the winner of the French literary prize, the Prix Landerneau, in the best children's book category, and was a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book in 2021.