Darkfright

Name: Darkfright
ISBN: 9780689801884

by Holly Young Huth

For a child who struggles with nighttime fears, this gentle story follows a woman on an island who finds comfort and courage in the dark with help from a starry friend.

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About This Book

A parent might reach for this book when their child is experiencing new or persistent fears of the dark, especially if they need a gentle, non-didactic story to open a conversation. Darkfright tells the story of a woman who lives on an island and is so afraid of the night that she sleeps all day. Her kind neighbors try to help with lamps, but her fear remains. It's only when a tiny, frightened piece of a star falls from the sky that everything changes. In her quest to comfort the little star and show it the beauty of the night, Darkfright discovers her own bravery. This poetic story is a wonderful choice for its lyrical language, comforting resolution, and its focus on finding courage through empathy and wonder, rather than by simply chasing the scary things away.

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What Parents Should Know

Scary ScenesMild

The book's central theme is a deep fear of the dark, which may be unsettling for some children.

Sensitive Topics

The book's central theme is fear and anxiety (nyctophobia). The approach is metaphorical and gentle. The fear is presented as a core part of the character's identity, not as a silly or illogical feeling. The resolution is entirely hopeful, achieved through a shift in perspective and an act of empathy. The tone is secular and rooted in the magic of the natural world.