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Dark Night

(2009, Fiction - Emotions, Written by Dorothee de Monfreid)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 3; suggested age 3.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Darkly comic, empowering take on tackling nighttime fears.

Themes in this book include:   friendship

Why We Rated This on for Ages 3 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    Themes of working together and overcoming fears.

  • Role models:

    Though frightened, Felix trusts his new friend and the pair venture bravely back out into the dark night.

  • Illustrations:

    The mood is a bit surreal and spooky, but the cartoonish illustrations provide warmth and comic relief.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A dark forest at night, scary animals, a monstrous mask -- but all’s well that ends well.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dark Night

Parents need to know this sly book is quite dark at the beginning -- the young, quaking hero seems to be in a tough spot. But the rest of the story will ease any jitters and get kids giggling as fears are conquered. There’s not much of concern here -- just some sharp-toothed creatures and dark shadows.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about bravery. Felix is small and scared, but he acts as if he’s a big, scary monster. Talk about some situations when you felt scared and vulnerable. Have you ever tried to act as if you were bigger or braver than you really felt?
  • What other stories can you think of where something seems scary at first and is really scared of you?
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