---
product_id: 24126872
title: "The Night Gardener"
price: "R436"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/24126872-the-night-gardener
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# The Night Gardener

**Price:** R436
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Night Gardener
- **How much does it cost?** R436 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/24126872-the-night-gardener)

## Best For

- Customers looking for quality international products

## Why This Product

- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

desertcart.com: The Night Gardener: 9781481439787: Fan, Terry, Fan, Eric, Fan, Terry, Fan, Eric: Books

Review: I do not have enough good adjectives for this book and its illustrations. - We opened this large, luxurious book and stopped for quite some time just on the title page and end page which has a drawing of the neighborhood in sepia tones. I asked my daughter what time period she thought the book took place and we looked for clues. The ultimate verdict was the 1940's. We also talked about what mood was being conveyed by the illustrator and why. It was sad, the street was not quite well kept (weeds growing in the sidewalk and trash on the streets), and people seemed disconnected from each other. The first few pages continue that somber feeling and we meet William who is sad. He is living in an orphanage and it turns out my 7-year-old had never heard of an orphanage. One of my favorite illustrations in this book (and believe me it is hard to choose) shows William looking out of his window staring at the owl topiary that the Night Gardner sculpted in front of the orphanage. In the corner of the windowsill is a small picture of a man and woman. An amazingly poignant picture. My daughter and I speculated about what might have happened to William's parents. It made the somber mood at the beginning of the story so understandable. As the book progresses each day the neighborhood awakens to a new topiary. The pictures lighten; less sepia is used and more color is evident. The people start interacting more and look happier and more connected. William follows the Night Gardener one night and helps him make a whole zoo of animal topiaries in the park. The Night Gardener leaves before morning while William sleeps and in his place is a gift of headgeclippers for William. Seriously I wanted to cry. The seasons change and the trees loose their leaves but the feelings the Night Gardener created remain. It reminds me of that quote from Maya Angelou — "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." It is again summer at the end of the book but this picture is so different from what the illustrator showed us at the beginning of the book. We spent some time comparing and contrasting these pictures and and what techniques the artist used to create the mood at the beginning and end of the book. Finally, we see William using his clippers on a small hedge. This is a great, great book that is beautiful, rich, poignant, deep, interesting, and ultimately happy. Joy coming again after great sadness. We loved this book. I have seriously blown our budget for books recently so we have been checking more books out of the library. My daughter asked if we could buy this book. Done!
Review: This is such a delightful, touching and simply told story.... - The Night Gardner By the Fan Brothers Rating 5 This book caught my eye at a local bookstore and as i perused the book, I was so in awe and amazed at what i found on each page that I had to have it. This is such a delightful, touching and simply told story that even a young child’s interest will be held for more than five seconds. The story actually begins on the flap of the jacket and continues on through the credits, acknowledgment and title pages with art. There is art and every single page and it is absolutely incredible. There is such variety...color, tinted, shaded, black&white, browns&rehire and greys&white and shade of blue...soooo much contrast that I found myself in a quandary. Do I just keep looking at the page to take in every single intricate detail there is or do I turn the next page? Then, I took the book jacket off and what do a find? An absolutely beautiful cover! This book looks great “naked” !!! The next decision was do I keep the book for myself or do I give it to my young grandson??? Easy, peasy...I bought two.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #58,065 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #74 in Children's Art Fiction #1,088 in Children's Classics #3,270 in Children's Literature (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (935) |
| Dimensions  | 8.5 x 0.5 x 12 inches |
| Edition  | First Edition |
| Grade level  | Preschool - 3 |
| ISBN-10  | 1481439782 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1481439787 |
| Item Weight  | 1.18 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 48 pages |
| Publication date  | February 16, 2016 |
| Publisher  | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers |
| Reading age  | 2 - 6 years, from customers |

## Images

![The Night Gardener - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81UA3Wne-ML.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I do not have enough good adjectives for this book and its illustrations.
*by H***N on December 17, 2016*

We opened this large, luxurious book and stopped for quite some time just on the title page and end page which has a drawing of the neighborhood in sepia tones. I asked my daughter what time period she thought the book took place and we looked for clues. The ultimate verdict was the 1940's. We also talked about what mood was being conveyed by the illustrator and why. It was sad, the street was not quite well kept (weeds growing in the sidewalk and trash on the streets), and people seemed disconnected from each other. The first few pages continue that somber feeling and we meet William who is sad. He is living in an orphanage and it turns out my 7-year-old had never heard of an orphanage. One of my favorite illustrations in this book (and believe me it is hard to choose) shows William looking out of his window staring at the owl topiary that the Night Gardner sculpted in front of the orphanage. In the corner of the windowsill is a small picture of a man and woman. An amazingly poignant picture. My daughter and I speculated about what might have happened to William's parents. It made the somber mood at the beginning of the story so understandable. As the book progresses each day the neighborhood awakens to a new topiary. The pictures lighten; less sepia is used and more color is evident. The people start interacting more and look happier and more connected. William follows the Night Gardener one night and helps him make a whole zoo of animal topiaries in the park. The Night Gardener leaves before morning while William sleeps and in his place is a gift of headgeclippers for William. Seriously I wanted to cry. The seasons change and the trees loose their leaves but the feelings the Night Gardener created remain. It reminds me of that quote from Maya Angelou — "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." It is again summer at the end of the book but this picture is so different from what the illustrator showed us at the beginning of the book. We spent some time comparing and contrasting these pictures and and what techniques the artist used to create the mood at the beginning and end of the book. Finally, we see William using his clippers on a small hedge. This is a great, great book that is beautiful, rich, poignant, deep, interesting, and ultimately happy. Joy coming again after great sadness. We loved this book. I have seriously blown our budget for books recently so we have been checking more books out of the library. My daughter asked if we could buy this book. Done!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is such a delightful, touching and simply told story....
*by L***T on April 20, 2017*

The Night Gardner By the Fan Brothers Rating 5 This book caught my eye at a local bookstore and as i perused the book, I was so in awe and amazed at what i found on each page that I had to have it. This is such a delightful, touching and simply told story that even a young child’s interest will be held for more than five seconds. The story actually begins on the flap of the jacket and continues on through the credits, acknowledgment and title pages with art. There is art and every single page and it is absolutely incredible. There is such variety...color, tinted, shaded, black&white, browns&rehire and greys&white and shade of blue...soooo much contrast that I found myself in a quandary. Do I just keep looking at the page to take in every single intricate detail there is or do I turn the next page? Then, I took the book jacket off and what do a find? An absolutely beautiful cover! This book looks great “naked” !!! The next decision was do I keep the book for myself or do I give it to my young grandson??? Easy, peasy...I bought two.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exquisite Illustrations and a Lovely Story Make This Book One to Buy for and Read to Your Child or Grandchild ...
*by D***2 on March 20, 2017*

Eric and Terry Fan's "The Night Gardener" is a visual and literary treat for young readers - and for their parents and grandparents. William awakes to find the first of many topiary sculptures on Grimloch Lane. As the nights go on and to the delight of the residents of Grimloch Lane, someone creates more sculptures. Determined to discover the sculpture's identity, William stays awake and catches "The Night Gardener" who invites William to join him. The exquisite illustrations throughout "The Night Gardener" are works of art. Soft colors and detailed drawings emphasize the nighttime activities of "The Night Gardener" and William. Illustrations have depth and dimension, characteristics not often found in many current books targeted at children. Only on the final pages are more saturated colors used to depict the joy viewers feel as they view the topiaries. "The Night Gardener" is sure to become a classic and is definitely a 5-star book.

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-02*