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The Night Animals

Illustrated by Sharon King-Chai

About The Book

Uncover the ghost animals within in this moving and uplifting story about finding help where you need it, from the highly acclaimed author and illustrator of The Hunt for the Nightingale.

Nora's mum has good days and bad days, but the bad days are getting worse. It's been just the two of them for always, and they don't need anyone else. When the rainbow-shimmering ghost animals Nora used to see when she was small start to reappear, she's convinced that they hold all the answers. Along with new friend Kwame, Nora follows a glittering ghostly fox, hare, raven and otter on the adventure of a lifetime, helping her to find the strength she needs to help her family.

In a heartbreaking and hopeful narrative, Sarah Ann Juckes' stunning novel, illustrated by the award-winning Sharon King-Chai sees a brave young girl face down her ghosts. For fans of The Last Bear and Julia and the Shark.

Praise for Hunt for the Nightingale

‘Full of hope, beauty & ultimately a healing song to nature' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

'An incredibly moving story of feeling lost and finding your way again' Lisa Thompson, author of Rollercoaster Boy

'Will break your heart and mend it back together again' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild

'This poignant exploration of grief and denial seen through the eyes of a child is underpinned by lessons about kindness, acceptance and nature’ Daily Mail

About The Author

Sarah Ann Juckes writes books for young people. Her YA debut Outside (Penguin) was nominated for the Carnegie Medal Award 2020, shortlisted for Mslexia’s Children’s Novel Award, and longlisted for the Bath Novel Award. Her second YA novel, The World Between Us was published in March 2021, and The Hunt for the Nightingale was her first Middle Grade Novel. She works with writers from all over the world via Jericho Writers and is on the board for Creative Future – a charity supporting under-represented writers. You can often find her hibernating in her writing shed in East Sussex, with her cat.

About The Illustrator

Sharon King-Chai is an award-winning designer & illustrator. Born in Australia, she moved to London in 2003 after completing an Honours degree in Visual Communication at University of Technology Sydney, and has been based in North London ever since. Sharon has worked on a wide range of projects including album artwork, branding and logos, product packaging, book covers and event identities. Recent work includes collaborations with Julia Donaldson on the stunning and award-winning Animalphabet and Counting Creatures, as well as her solo picture book Starbird, winner of the Kate Greenaway Shadower’s Choice award 2021.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK (January 5, 2023)
  • Length: 352 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781398510944
  • Ages: 9 - 99

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More books from this author: Sarah Ann Juckes

More books from this illustrator: Sharon King-Chai