Early readers · ages 4–7

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark

A barn owl who is frightened of the dark has a problem.

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark — Jill Tomlinson, illustrated by Paul Howard (Egmont). Ages 5–8.

Plop is a barn owl who is frightened of the dark, which is an awkward position for a barn owl. In every chapter he meets someone who shows him a different dark — dark is exciting, dark is kind, dark is necessary.

It's built for one chapter a night, which is exactly how a child first learns to want the next one.

The catch — the stakes are gentle and the shape repeats. A child raised on fast chapter books may find it slight.

Each chapter hands him one reason. By the end he isn't persuaded, he's convinced.

Get the full guide: The Picture Book Years →

Cover: The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark · Jill Tomlinson, illustrated by Paul Howard · Egmont