The Night Gardener

In Grimloch Lane people keep themselves to themselves. One morning everything changes, the tree outside the orphanage has been magically shaped onto an enormous owl. People stop to look, amazed at the sight. A young boy called William, watching from the orphanage is mesmerised. Each day there is something new to discover, a contented cat, a rabbit, elephant and parrot. Changes are happening in Grimloch Lane, people gather to look in wonder at the amazing creations, photos are taken, and music is played. When a spectacular dragon appears, children play among the branches and everyone celebrates under the moonlight and lanterns suspended in the trees.  But who is responsible?  The reader has seen the quiet figure who visits when the town sleeps to work his magic although William has not – until eventually, on his way home from the celebrations, William spots him too. Following the man into the park William realises he has found the mysterious night gardener who then invites William to help him in his work. Throughout the night, William has a wonderful time as the gardener’s apprentice, creating a park full of topiaries. The whole town comes out to admire the results the next day. Although as the seasons pass leaves fall and the creations disappear, the town is changed forever; a strong sense of community is established. William is changed too, the Night Gardener has left him not only with his own set of shears but also a new skill; he is now a budding topiarist, able to experience the joy of creation.

The Night Gardener is a stunning picturebook which creates a sense of wonder and tells a story of transformation, hope, creativity and the importance of community and engagement with the environment. Text is minimal and the story presented leaves much unsaid. But there is great detail to observe in the illustrations including the impact of change through the use of colour and the increasing animation of the characters. The end papers at the beginning of the book set the scene in Grimloch Lane before the gardener appears, monochrome and morose. The photo in William’s room indicates the parents he has lost. The inspiration for one or two of the topiaries is suggested too, the owl sculpture reflecting William’s drawing in the dirt, cats spotted by the night gardener on his way to work inspiring the second creation.

An impressive debut picturebook by a highly talented team.