The Midnight Fair
Age 3+
Picture Storybooks
A spectacular, surreal and cinematic wordless picture book about the secret life of animals.
Far from the city, but not quite in the countryside, lies a fairground. When night falls, and the fair is empty, something unexpected happens. Wild animals emerge from the trees, a brave raccoon pulls a lever, and the rollercoasters and rides explode back into bright, neon life. Now it’s time for the woodland creatures to have some fun…
Creators
Gideon Sterer is an award-winning American author whose books include Not Your Nest!, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, From Ed's to Ned's, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins and The Christmas Owl, co-written with Ellen Kalish and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. Gideon grew up in the woods of upstate New York, where his parents owned a little zoo where he would run around after-hours and let the animals out. Find him online at gideonsterer.com.
Mariachiara Di Giorgio is an illustrator, storyboard artist and concept designer from Rome, Italy. She created her first picture book, the wordless Professional Crocodile, with writer Giovanna Zoboli in 2017. Find Mariachiara online at
cargocollective.com/mariachiaradigiorgio.
Reviews
Painting from close up, Di Giorgio creates the sense that viewers are part of the crowd, and bathes every spread in brilliant, theatrical light.
Publishers Weekly
Wordless and eloquent, “The Midnight Fair” offers true enchantment for children ages 3 to 8.
The Wall Street Journal
This is a wonderful, dream-like picture book that’s also strong on humour.
Christmas countdown of amazing books, RTÉjr
Lush watercolour, gouache and coloured pencil artwork by Di Giorgio is spectacular not just in its liveliness and beauty but in its remarkable depth and perspective. Surprise after surprise emerges for the keen-eyed reader, and not a detail is neglected. The Midnight Fair–like a ride on a Ferris wheel–will likely elicit entreaties of “Again, again!”.
Shelf-Awareness
Despite all the merriment, The Midnight Fair is much more than a cute story about animals having fun. It’s entertaining and clever, but it never devolves into flippancy or silliness. Unhampered by the solidity and clarity of text, it maintains an ethereal aura of mystery and a sense of quiet dignity not often found in picture books with anthropomorphic animal protagonists.Every inch of illustrator Di Giorgio’s art is captivating, […] Gleaming and golden, The Midnight Fair radiates magic. It’s truly exceptional.
Bookpage
