The Follower

by Richard Thompson, Martin Springett (Illustrator)

Runner up for the I O D E Book Award, 2002Our Choice Award from the Canadian Children's Book Centre, 2001

"On Monday dark as shut your eyes
It followed her home . . .
Down the lane, over the lawn,
Past the Marble Frog and the Granite Swan
She cast a glance - and quick as that -
It was gone.

The new collaboration between author Richard Thompson and illustrator Martin Springett is an eerie picture-book poem perfect for late-night reading. What is following the young witch home every night past the frightening statues and the sinister life-like trees? Before the witch discovers the identity of "the follower" young readers will find the answer to the mystery in the shadowy illustrations.

Martin Springett's use of a new style for his illustrations sets the mood perfectly as the witch makes her way home night after night with the mysterious follower close behind. Richard Thompson's haunting poem is a perfect read-aloud for very young readers with plenty of repetition and rhyme.

28 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Richard Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I am using the "added" to date as the "I finished" date for this book even though I undoubtedly read this book first soon after the first copies arrived after it was published for the fall season in 2000 — and, of course, I read have read it many, many times (mostly aloud) since then.

This story was written during my "pattern book" phase, but it isn't an "I can read..." book like FISHES IN THE OCEAN and THEN AND NOW. I decide to explore the idea of a "cumulative" structure, and started playing with the days of the week as possible framework: On Monday, Dark as shut your eyes, It followed her home... Down the lane, over the lawn, Past the Marble Frog and the Granite Swam. She cast a glance and quick as that... I was gone." For each day of the week we follow "her" further and further along her path, starting with the first verse and adding a verse each day. And each day "it" follows her and each day she shoos it away. Until Sunday...

Martin Springett's pencil crayon illustrations are a perfect complement to text.

Of all my picture books, this is one of my favorites.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry about the journey of a witch being followed by a lonely black cat. Lyrical writing and lovely illustrations-this is an absorbing story to savor and has a gentle and satisfying ending.

[Tab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. The illustrations perfectly suit the text and the story itself is written as a repetitive poem. The younger students find it easy to follow and yet still suspenful.