The library is a place where staff help patrons navigate
resources and collections to find answers to their most important questions. But,
how do you help a child that is afraid of the dark?
One Tuesday afternoon, after story time, a mother came up to
the front desk and asked, “Do you have any book recommendations for children
that are afraid of the dark?” Hiding behind the patron was a little girl, about
five years old, clutching at her skirts. With a big smile, I looked down at the
little girl and said “Of course, follow me to the picture book section. I have
books that will turn even the scariest of monsters into your best friend.”
Here is what I recommended:
Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlet
Orion’s biggest fear is the dark. But when Night decides to
take Orion on an adventure, the two become inseparable and ultimately become
the best of friends.
Little Night/Nochesita
by Yuyi Morales
This bilingual bedtime story is about a girl, Little Night,
who plays hide and seek with her mother, Sky. The question “Where could Little
Night Be?” is repeated throughout the story, helping children familiarize
themselves with the concept of darkness when night time comes.
Touch the Brightest Star by Christie Matheson
This is an interactive picture book that will surely
brighten up your child’s night. Children will feel like they have control over
the night as they “touch, pat, blink, and whisper to change the night sky.”
Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
This picture book lets children be in charge when it comes
to monsters. Flip the page and see a monster unfold before your eyes. But don’t
be too scared. Children can make the monster disappear at the flip of a page,
ending the story with “Go AWAY, Big Green Monster!”
After walking mother and daughter over to the picture book
section, they were excited to see the variety of books the library held to help
combat a child’s fear of the dark. They left home with a handful of books and a
readiness to tackle even the scariest of monsters.
If Your Monster Won’t Go to Sleep by Denise Vega
Along with the selection of books, a craft can be paired that is within theme of all things bedtime. A fun title that pulls together nighttime and monsters in a fun way is If Your Monster Won’t Go to Sleep by Denise Vega. In the story, a young girl creates a handbook on how to get your monster to go to bed. An amusing tongue-in-cheek story on a fabulous bedtime routine that should help any young ones get prepared for bed without being scared of the dark.
A craft has been created based on the story above, so feel
free to print out the instructions and template so that everyone can create
their own monster that won’t go to sleep!
Click HERE for craft instructions and template.
