Stories for Children Who are Afraid of the Dark
Picture Books to Help Scared Kids Go to Sleep
Nov 8, 2009
Many preschoolers and older children are afraid of the dark. This is a primal fear – they’re afraid that there are animals, monsters, and ghosts lurking just outside the bed covers. It can be helpful to discuss these fears with a child and use books as a conversation starter or a way to address some of the child’s fears of the dark so that he can get to sleep.
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell ( Walker Books, 1990)
This story revolves around a little bear who is afraid of the dark. He asks for a larger and larger light, and finally his father takes him outside to see the moon, the largest light of all.
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson (Reprint by Egmont, 2004)
A little barn owl is afraid of the dark. His mother sends him off on an adventure through the night to learn more about what is lovely about the dark: experiences like fireworks, telescopes, and campfire songs.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen (Philomel, 1987)
Owl Moon is an excellent book for children who are afraid to go outside at night. It’s a story about a child who goes on a walk with her father to find owls. They find one, and it is exciting, a little scary, and very soothing all the same time.
Only The Cat Saw by Ashley Wolff (Walker and Company, 1996)
In Only The Cat Saw, a cat watches all of the things that happen around a house during the night. An owl catches a mouse, fireflies come out, and a mother nurses her child. This book demystifies the activities that happen at night.
When the Wind Stops by Charlotte Zolotow (Harper Collins, 1997)
Not only is this book a lovely bed time story, it’s also a story about transitions. A little boy asks his mother what happens when night comes and the day disappears. The mother and the boy talk about how nothing ends – night turns into day, winter becomes spring, and the cycles of life continue. Although this book is not explicitly about the dark, it’s a soothing read and a good opener for discussion.
The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer (Dragonfly Books, 1994)
The Salamander Room is a book about habitats, but it’s also good for children who are able to use their imaginations to create a wonderful and safe world in their room. A little boy brings home a salamander and gradually decorates his room so that it becomes a beautiful forest. This would be a good book for a child who is monster-proofing his room with his imagination.
It’s normal for children to experience a fear of the dark. Use stories to help discuss this fear, talk about what happens at night, and talk about ways to make darkness and the bedroom a safe and comfortable place again.
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