Kate Fillion

A young boy dreams of space but fears the dark in this engaging picture-book autobiography from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, co-written with Kate Fillion and illustrated by the fabulously talented Fan brothers. Convinced that aliens are lurking in the dark, young Chris has trouble at bedtime, and doesn't really want to sleep in a separate room from his parents. But when he watches the Apollo 11 moon landing on TV in July of 1969, while on vacation on Stag Island, Ontario, he realizes show more that outer space, the very thing he finds most entrancing, is the darkest dark there is. This leads to a reassessment of what darkness is, and how he feels about it, as well as to a life-long goal of getting out into that darkness...

Less of a full biography than a brief memoir of a memorable episode from a memorable life, The Darkest Dark is both informative and entertaining. It functions as an exploration of a common childhood fear, and how young people might confront and overcome that fear, through reexamination and through expanding (or changing) one's perspective, but it is also a depiction of a momentous moment in human history, as seen through the eyes of one child. In this latter sense, it reminded me a bit of Dianna Hutts Aston's The Moon Over Star, which also dealt with a group watching the moon landing in 1969. I enjoyed the narrative here, finding the young Chris Hadfield a believable and sympathetic young protagonist, but I also greatly appreciated the illustrations. Having discovered the work of Fan brothers in their gorgeous picture-book debut, The Night Gardener, I was very excited to see this second title, and I was not disappointed. The artwork here, done in pencil and colored digitally, was absolutely lovely, capturing both the beauty and the menace of the dark which so frightened the story's hero. Recommended to young space lovers and would-be astronauts, as well as to children who are afraid of the dark. show less

"The Darkest Dark" by Chris Hadfield, illustrated by The Fan Brothers, is a touching and inspiring picture book that speaks to children's common fear of the dark, while also encouraging them to dream big and embrace their aspirations.

The story is based on the real-life experiences of astronaut Chris Hadfield as a child. Young Chris, while being enthusiastic about rockets and the universe, finds himself struggling with a fear of the dark. His perspective changes dramatically after watching show more the Apollo Moon landing, which helps him see the dark not as something to fear, but as a space filled with endless possibilities and adventures. This realization helps Chris overcome his fear and fuels his dream of becoming an astronaut.

The narrative style is simple and direct, making it easily relatable for children, particularly those who might share a similar fear of the dark. This book is not just about overcoming fear; it's a tale of transformation and aspiration.

The illustrations by The Fan Brothers add a layer of depth and imagination to the story, beautifully complementing Hadfield's narrative. The artwork, with its cool tones and subtle lighting, creates a dreamlike quality that enhances the book's theme of finding beauty and inspiration in darkness.

An additional compelling feature of the book is the brief biography of Chris Hadfield at the end, which includes photographs and illustrated memorabilia. This section provides a real-world connection to the story, showing young readers that dreams, even those that seem as vast as space, can be attainable.

In summary, "The Darkest Dark" is a wonderfully crafted book that not only addresses childhood fears but also inspires children to dream and explore. It's a perfect blend of a relatable childhood story and an inspiring message about pursuing one's dreams. show less

Chris is the bravest space traveller in the universe — except for one thing: he’s afraid of the dark. And space is very, very dark.

THE DARKEST DARK is a lovely book on many levels. It evokes a moment of global history almost fifty years ago and relates it to the life of a specific Canadian boy who went on to an astonishing career. At the same time, the story presents a theme many children today can identify with. The illustrations are just delightful, and the back matter extends the show more story in an inspiring way.

THE DARKEST DARK belongs in public libraries across Canada and would make an excellent addition to any home library. A great pick for kids and adults alike. show less

Very read-out-loud friendly, which is important for a children's book. Good story arc, great illustrations. Glow in the dark cover is fun, also. Stories that say "as long as you dream it you'll achieve it" aren't my favourite, but at least this one does say Chris worked really hard to achieve his goal. That hard-working part is a key message that often gets lost. Cute "autobiography."