Written by Neil Gaiman & illustrated by Dave McKean 'The Wolves in the Walls'

"If the wolves come out of the walls, then it's all over."

"What's all over?" asked Lucy.

"It," said her mother.

There are wolves living in the walls, by night Lucy can hear them moving, by day she can feel them looking at her through the cracks in the walls and the eyes of the painting. There are wolves in the walls, but no one believes her, until one night the wolves come out of the walls.

This is a wonderful gothic picture book for children of all ages, except perhaps the very young who may be truly frightened. The text is punchy and well written, and the illustrations dark and atmospheric. Like all fairy stories there are layers and ambiguities. There are wolves in the walls, and perhaps we should encourage them to come out more often.

Bloomsbury, 56 pages