Product Description

There's something strange about tonight. What's that woo sound outside my window?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1872628 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
When Jake wakes up at midnight, strange shapes loom large and frightening sounds are everywhere, but the reassuring appearance of his parents sets everything right. PW praised Carrick's "splendid paintings . . . with corners full of horrible shadows." Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 Near midnight on a windy night in late autumn, a small boy awakens. Not only are the nighttime sounds frightening to him and his dog, but the lights aren't working and his parents aren't in their bedroom. He confronts creaks and howling (both his and the dog's) before he finds his parents, who are sleeping downstairs, and who comfort him. Bunting masterfully paces her story, with each fear of the child climaxing in his discovery of the basis for the sound. The images that frighten the narrator will also make young readers and listeners feel shivery, but in each case, the rational explanation will reassure them. The narrator's range of emotionsbeing scared but trying not to show it, transferring his feelings to his dog, and his overwhelming relief at finding his fatheris marvelously portrayed in the text through small details. Bunting also provides a range of sensory details that make the boy's experiences readily identifiable. The text is extended by Carrick's paintings, most of which brood with the darkness and mystery of a house in the night. Each is a full page-and-a-third; all show a remarkable vitality. Carrick's palette, and the book's tone, change completely when the boy, with his parents, is no longer afraid: warm, comforting gold tones then enrobe the family. A book that provides the perfect blend of chills and comfort. David Gale, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-This follow-along book and cassette compassionately captures a child's fears of storms, of the dark, and of being left alone. The plot is realistic and simplistic enough for children to understand and follow. Jake and his sacred dog, Biff, wake up one night to an eerie sound. He turns on the light in his room, but it does not come on. Jake decides to go sleep with his parents, but they are not in their bedroom. Trying to be brave for his dog's sake, he goes downstairs to check and that is when he hears the clock chiming midnight. After a series of comical events, Jake finds his mom and dad sleeping in the living room. His mom tells Biff that it is okay to be scared during the storm, that we all get scared sometimes. The book's illustrations by Donald Carrick complement Eve Bunting's story (HM, 1987) through their soft lines and darker colors which depict an image of mystery and night. Suitable for individual use, this package would be an excellent addition to school and public library read-along collections. The spooky tone of the story may lend itself well to a Halloween collection as well.
Sarah Smith, Harrison Community Library, MI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

"Don't be scared, it's just the wind."
Eve Bunting carefully chooses her words, emphasizing the soundsa child hears at night after the power goes out. Young Jacob awakensto the "Woooo" of the wind outside his window, only todiscover that his bedside lamp won't turn on. While he tries toreassure his white, furry dog, Biff, as they wander through the scary,dark--and noisy--house, looking for his parents, he is actually tryingto reassure himself.

I have never heard the tape that another reviewof this title refers to, but I love to read this story aloud toprimary students, making the most of the wonderful, slightly scarysounds described in the story.

The comforting ending has the family,Mom, Dad, Jacob and Biff, tucked into the couch bed downstairs as Dadblows the candle out. Donald Carrick's illustrations help bring theeeriness, and then the ending coziness, to life.

This is another oneof my favorite October read-alouds, along with "Big Fraid, LittleFraid," and other titles.

Suspenseful & reassuring for child afraid of the dark.Great!
My son is 3 1/2 years old and absolutely loves this book and cassette. I think it's terrific, too, because it tells an exciting and entertaining story that deals with typical childhood fears of the dark and creaky noises at night, but then everything has a reassuring explanation. The cassette is definitely a must-have, as it contains a lot of sound effects that add to the suspense. The boy who narrates the story also does a very good job, and I've actually enjoyed listening (and listening!) to it as my son has replayed it countless times. This book and cassette has been great in letting my son know that everybody gets scared sometimes and it's okay, but that your imagination can make things seem a lot scarier than they really are.

Haunting and charming
As much as I was determined to pass this off as just a little fake-you-out scary I was swept away by Bunting's incredible writing and the sheer sense of setting of how creepy a house can get in a storm.

The narrator is a young boy with a dog who finds his home to be much scarier in the night than he expected and sets out on a quest to find his parents (who are mysteriously not in their bed).

It's emotional, descriptive, and surprisingly chilling, even with the happy ending. I had kids getting the shivers.

And you just can't hate a book that does that.