Books with author Nigel Gray

Colin and Prill were looking forward to their summer holiday in Ireland, but almost from the moment they arrive, things start to go horribly wrong. Whilst Colin is plagued by a terrible smell, rising from the land as if from the land of the dead, Prill is visited by a strange creature creeping into her dreams. Who is she, and what does she want? Only cousin Oliver seems untouched by the danger. As the hot summer days continue, their terror mounts and their baby sister becomes critically ill. Oliver links the present horror with the terrible famine in Ireland of the 1840s—and he must bring about a reconciliation to save himself and his cousins. An atmospheric play which gradually builds the tension and will have the audience on the edge of their seats…The book contains a haunting playscript suitable for classwork and school production, accompanied by resources including background material and lively activities.

"Told in the first person by two young boys, this story relates their identical experiences . . . with very different results. The text appears in the middle of the page, and two sets of pictures, above and below, show the same actions in two very different cultures: a small African village and a modern suburban setting. . . . The format makes this an interesting picture book. . . . Children will enjoy finding the similarities and differences for themselves."-- School Library Journal.

Lift the flaps to find out why a dog . . . and a cat . . . and finally a mom might go off with expanded tummies — and return with a big surprise.What could it mean when your dog or your cat gets fatter and fatter, then hides in a cupboard or box and comes out thin? With the flip of a flap, little ones will be happy to help the young narrator as she discovers a litter of puppies and a batch of kittens — and finally knows what to expect when her own mom’s widening girth precedes a hospital visit. Bob Graham’s whimsical illustrations and a simple, repetitive text capture the curious anticipation that all new babies bring.