4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
All About a Boy Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Ann Marie Hannon, as you would expect, is about a boy who finds out he is afraid of the dark. Patrick wakes up one night at midnight and finds he is all alone in the dark; this never happened before! He becomes worried and starts to cry. Will he be able to find a way not to be afraid of the dark? You must read this story to find out!
I liked the cover of this book. Since the theme is based during night time, it is appropriately designed to show the night sky out the window and give off the feel of midnight. The colors work perfectly and will set the mood for the book while appealing to children.
This book is an interactive learning tool that is great for kids. The author’s writing style encourages readers to read it to their children, and children are encouraged to tell this story in their own words. If you know kids as I know them, that’s the best part about reading a book. Telling it to someone else after you’ve read it is part of the joy of reading.
The illustrations are very well-done and add to the story in a way that makes this book appealing in spite of its being written around a subject like being afraid of the dark.
This book deals with different fears that many children have. From going to the zoo to meeting dogs in the park, many situations frighten children. This story demonstrates how Patrick’s fears were comforted by his parents. What I liked most about this book was how Patrick and Margy’s parents were close by and watching them to see how they did, and how they were proud of their children for working together.
The problem-solving in this book will be helpful to readers. It offers ways to reason through difficulties and find positive outlooks to deal with things that cause fear. It also reinforces the bonds of family caring, which I was especially appreciated.
The bond between Patrick and his sister Margy is excellent for kids to read about and then apply to their own life. I liked the character development of these two characters. It truly felt like a big sister who cared for her little brother, which was by far the sweetest element of this story.
This book will appeal the most to kids who have a fear of the dark and would like to see how someone else has solved that problem.
I couldn’t find anything to dislike about this book. It is a thoughtful and well-written tale with which children can identify. I only found one minor error, so I consider it to be professionally edited. For these reasons, I am rating this book with 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to young children as I believe they will sympathize with Patrick. I also recommend it to parents with children who are afraid of the dark. This book would be a great bedtime story!
******
All About A Boy Who Was Afraid of the Dark
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
