''Oliver in the Garden'' (published in the USA as ''Night Cat'') is a 2000 picture book by

Margaret Beames Margaret Beames (18 October 1935 – 9 February 2016) was a multi-award-winning author of children's books who lived in Feilding, New Zealand. Her first book was ''The Greenstone Summer'', published in 1977. She had 42 books published, including ...

. It is about a cat called Oliver that chooses to stay outside all night but after a number of adventures decides it is better indoors.

Publication history

*''Oliver in the Garden'' (2000), Scholastic, *''Night Cat'' (2000), Orchard Books,

Reception

'' The Horn Book Magazine'', in a review of ''Oliver in the Garden'', wrote "Hitchcock's digitally rendered illustrations feature wonderfully dramatic and sometimes chilling nightscapes in a palette of deep purple and black occasionally cut by swaths of light and color. The story is more atmospheric than well-plotted, the cozy conclusion more inevitable than satisfying." A reviewer for the '' School Library Journal'' compared it to books like Marcia Brown's '' Shadow'' and concluded "this import from New Zealand promises to bewitch American picture-book readers." ''Oliver in the Garden'' has also been reviewed by ''

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'', and '' Publishers Weekly''. It is one of the New Zealand Book Council 50 New Zealand books every kid should read by age 12, and won Best Picture Book and the Children's Choice Award at the 2001 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

Sequels

Beames has written further books involving Oliver including ''Oliver's Party'' (2003), and ''Oliver Goes Exploring'' (2008).

References

External links

Library holdings of ''Oliver in the Garden''Library holdings of ''Night Cat''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oliver in the Garden 2000 children's books New Zealand children's books Picture books Fictional cats Children's books about cats