Something in the Darkness
On a dark Halloween night, a girl walks home, feeling as if something is watching her, following her, and getting ready to pounce. The unnerving feeling grows as she walks down dark, shadowy streets, passing pumpkin lanterns, children dressed up as ghosts, and a spooky graveyard on the way. Racing home she slams the door before jumping into bed, but has she made it back alone?
Written in rhyming text, the scene is set with expressive descriptions, expertly crafting a tense, eerie atmosphere. The suspense and pacing builds as the story progresses, ending in the perfect jump-scare which reveals a reassuringly familiar friend. Filled with rich descriptive language such as ‘the desiccated sound of the autumn leaves’ and ‘like a prehistoric predator pursuing injured prey,’ this book is perfect for expanding children’s vocabulary and inspiring them to write their own creative stories.
Illustrated in a limited colour palette of black, white, grey and orange, the artwork captures the feel of classic black and white horror movie scenes filled with bare tree branches, creaking playground swings and rusting leaves. The girl is often depicted as a small character, surrounded by tall, bare tree branches and long, twisting shadows, building the sense of being watched by something in the expansive darkness.
Masterfully written and illustrated, this book is perfect for children who want to enjoy a thrilling story, but who still need a reassuringly safe ending. It delivers a reassuring message that perhaps the things we find scary in the darkness, aren’t always so scary when in the safety of the light.
