Relief For Kids Afraid of the Dark During Daylight Saving Time {Wunderkind Reads}

Book provided for review/feature consideration

I love the sun, summer time, and day light, so suffice it to say, I'm not exactly thrilled with the loss of daylight hours for Daylight Saving Time {which falls on November 6 this year}. But the increase of dark hours can be even tougher for children who are afraid of the dark.
After Daylight Saving Time it will get darker sooner and sooner, as the weather gets colder. This could be an easier transition for children who are afraid of the dark than anticipated.

Read a bedtime story, tuck in covers, find a favorite stuffed animal, sing a favorite song, retuck covers, soothe and reassure. Repeat. Turn out the lights. Turn back on lights. Repeat. This summarizes the bedtime struggle many parents face, especially when their child, like so many others, is afraid of the dark. 

The Moon Inside, a beautifully illustrated picture book, gives children the tools to embrace the nighttime rather than fear it – which is especially important as we turn the clocks back at the end of daylight savings time and more of a young child’s waking hours are enveloped in darkness.

{SYNOPSIS}

Afraid of the dark, Ella insists on turning on all of the lights every evening to chase the shadows away. She misses the sun, which makes her happy and bathes the world in yellow, her favorite color. When Mother takes Ella outdoors at dusk and gently encourages her to describe what she sees, Ella makes note of the just-rising moon and glowing fireflies (young listeners will enthusiastically name other delights depicted in the luminous, lusciously detailed spreads). The two sit together on the porch, soaking up the quiet splendor of the night. Back inside, Ella still turns on a few lights, but now takes comfort in the golden moon (“It’s my favorite color—only quieter”). Leisurely pacing, a gentle text, and exquisite artwork provide a comforting anecdote to nighttime fears.
Author, Sandra V. Feder, a mother of three, watched her own children struggle with fear of the dark. As darkness fell, she watched them go through the house turning on lights to make it go away. She noticed then when they were outside when dusk came, they were less afraid.

Sandra used this lesson to create the character of Ella who learns an appreciation of nighttime by learning to connect with nature as her mother encourages her to look at the soft glow of the moon and the fireflies dancing in the night. She also encourages her to listen to the sounds of the night – crickets chirping and the wind in the trees. As the story gently proceeds, Ella gradually comes to feel more comfortable by embracing what shines in the night.


MORE ABOUT SANDRA V. FEDER:

Author of the Daisy series of childrens’ books, Sandra is also a volunteer in her children’s schools, a library, and the founder of a new high school, Sandra has worked with children of all ages and their parents. She’s learned that helping children embrace new parts of their worlds at a young age is important in their continued development. She’s also a big believer in celebrating the natural creativity children have, so that the wonderful imaginations they possess when they are young can still be accessed when they are older and more afraid of final exams than the dark.


Growing up exploring the hills of Northern California and catching salamanders in local streams, Sandra learned an appreciation of nature from a young age. The Moon Inside reflects Sandra’s sense of finding comfort in the natural world.


You can find more information about Sandra at: sandravfeder.com