Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clever story of a boy who conquers his fear of the dark.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Lazlo is a afraid of the dark. He sleeps with a night light on and caries a flashlight places where the dark is, like his basement. He personifies the dark, thinking it hides in the closet or behind the shower curtain or washing machine, but goes back to the basement, where it lives, in the morning. He'll open the basement door and greet it: \"'Hi, he would say. 'Hi, dark.'\" Then one night the dark talks back to Lazlo and shows him something that relieves his fear.
Is It Any Good?
THE DARK is a clever treatment of one of kids' most universal fears. Author Lemony Snicket and illustrator Jon Klassen do a fantastic job of building suspense and creating a deadpan character with a problem to solve: Lazlo knows that the dark lives in his house and is concerned that it will come into it bedroom rather than stay where it belongs. Lazlo is curious and methodical, and in the end empowered by having mastered the situation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about their fears. Parents can tell kids what they are -- or used to be -- afraid of and how they deal -- or have dealt with -- that fear.
How does the illustrator's use of light and dark affect the mood on different pages?
Take a flashlight and go on a journey in your house. Does it make you less scared of dark corners?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jon Klassen
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : April 2, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 6
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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