Hello, Dark

Hello, Dark is a heartwarming tale about a young boy’s attempt to make friends with the dark, something of which he has been quite afraid. He tries to see the need for darkness, to create a time and space where “owls and foxes feel safe playing in your shadows.” Midway through the book, dark becomes a shape and is named, appropriately enough, “Dark”, and greeted in a friendly way by the boy so that they can “be friends . . . [and] can talk about happy things together.” Dark is only a shadow, but its outline is reminiscent of the creatures in Monsters, Inc., a round and toothy blob. Suddenly, Dark and the boy become quite good companions, even transforming into pirates “when nobody’s watching.” Thus, a comforting and playful friendship is formed.

Written simply and poetically in a reassuring and confident monologue, Hello, Dark will help children to understand why the darkness is necessary. The author’s note explains that this story “reframes the dark in a positive context”, something which it has indeed achieved. The illustrations transport the reader into a nighttime atmosphere and range from depicting a cozy bedroom in rich blue-green hues to the resplendent shades of purple in a starry night sky overseen by a friendly moon. The detail in some of the scenes is astounding, in particular, the picture books on the shelves and the newspaper pirate’s hat. Hello, Dark will be a comfort to children and an essential title for parents who struggle with their children’s fear of the dark. Highly recommended for all children’s collections.