The Dark, Dark Night

Frog wakes up from his winter hibernation in this sweet picture-book from English author/illustrator team M. Christina Butler and Jane Chapman, playing with his friends and then heading to his home in the pond once it gets dark. Arriving at the water however, he finds himself confronting a terrible monster in the nearby reeds, and he rushes back to his friends. One by one, they accompany Frog back to the pond, only to spy the monster themselves. It is only when Badger accompanies the group, and mouse gets left behind with the lantern, that the truth is revealed: the animals have been frightened by their own shadows...

A lovely little reassurance story, one which makes good use of its repetitive structure to build up the tension, The show more Dark, Dark Night demonstrates to the young reader or listener that sometimes the things we are frightened of in the darkness aren't so fearsome after all. The accompanying artwork from Chapman, who has also illustrated Karma Wilson's popular picture-book series about Bear, is lovely, capturing the charm of these animal friends, and the mystery of the dark night around them. Attentive readers/watchers will be able to figure out what all the fuss is about, which will only add to the fun. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for sweet animal stories that offer a reassuring look at something many children find intimidating: namely, the dark. show less

In The Dark, Dark Night by M. Christina Butler and Jane Chapman, the themes consist of becoming brave by overcoming fears, power of friendship, and something scary may not appear as it is presented. When the frog gets to his pond for the night, carrying his lantern, he sees his own shadow in the tall grass. Then, he becomes afraid thinking there is a monster near his pond, so he grabs his friends one by one and each time the shadow gets bigger and bigger because more friends are along trying to help the frog. Eventually, without the lantern, that the “monster” was not a monster and it was their shadows mixed together.
The illustrations of this book are detailed specifically towards how each animal looks and their perspectives show more through the grass. In addition, the shadows of the layered animals on top of one another looked very real. It looked like a monster. I loved the sketches of the animals because they almost look 3D printed because of the detail on the fur on the rabbit, mouse, and badger. Also the scales on the frog and the spikes on the hedgehog.
I can relate to this book because of the fear of the dark. Sleeping in complete darkness is a fear because I have always had some sort of light on in my room. Even when I was younger I had a terrible dream or sight of my shadow and I thought there was a monster in my room. Overall, it gives children an idea that they are not alone in being afraid of the dark and they can go to a safe place or safe person if they are scared. show less

Fear of the dark and the unknown drive this storyline. Mystery surrounds what the "monster" might be. It is very funny that with each new friend that comes along, the "monster" develops new characteristics! This book was very cleverly written and had equally engaging artwork. The illustrator's use of oil painting brought the book to life. This was a big book with big, full pictures. Very nice.

This book is a good example of fantasy because it is a story about a group of characters learning about shadows for the first time, but these characters are animals making it unrealistic.
Media: Acrylic
Age Appropriatness: Primary

This book discusses how being scared about monsters is silly, and how imagination can play with our minds. This is a good topic to discuss with kids because they often get scared easily over nothing.

Genre: Fantasy
Age Appropriateness: Primary
Media: Acrylic
Review: This is the story of pond animals who are essentially afraid of their own shadows. It is a fantasy because the animals take on human characteristics, such as talking.

Upon awakening from his long winter's nap, Frog spends a happy day playing with his friends but when he reaches his pond after dark, he sees a huge pond monster and needs his friends' help to face it.