The Too-Scary Story

PreS-Gr 1—Papa offers to tell the kids a bedtime story. Grace, the brave older child, wants it to be creepy and scary. Younger Walter doesn't feel the same way. His sister assures him that all will be fine. She will have her wand with them for protection. Papa starts the story with the two children going for a walk in the forest on a dark night. This is a bit too scary for Walter, so Papa adds harmless fireflies. Unfortunately, they're not creepy enough for Grace, so her father introduces all kinds of other creatures. When footsteps and shadows enter the tale, Walter hopes Grace's wand will keep them away, but she is unsure about its ability to help. As the narrative progresses, the children's fear brings them closer together and their courage grows. It's difficult to find a bedtime story that is good for all ages, especially when one child wants it to be scary. This book does a good job of balancing gentle and slightly scary details. The background during the bedtime story is dark and muted. The illustrations of the children are bright enough to stand out against the murkiness. The contrasting text differentiates the characters' voices from the bedtime story their father is telling. The children's expressions are well portrayed, from happy to frustrated to somewhat frightened. Even the family dog gets in on the act.