Black Dog

Description

In Levi Pinfold's 2013 Greenaway Medal winner, discover how even the smallest hope can overcome fear. A black dog appears outside the Hope family's home. As each member of the household sees it and hides, the dog grows bigger and bigger. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the Black Dog. When it chases her through the forest she shows no fear, so it grows smaller and smaller. Finally, back to the size of a normal hound, the Black Dog is welcomed into the Hope household as their newest family member.

Levi Pinfoldhas worked as an author and illustrator since graduating from University College Falmouth. He paints with watercolour and gouache, creating imagery from imagination and memory. His debut book, The Django, won a Booktrust Early Years Award. Michael Foreman described it as, "A virtuoso display of real drawing." Levi lives in Northern New South Wales, Australia.

The 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 *