Afraid of the Dark

Pitch: Story of a kid who challenges their fears of the dark and what may lurk in the shadows.

Concepts: Overcoming fears, confidence, Bedtime.

Age: 4-7.

Type: Picture Book.

Page Count: 32

Working Text:

 Are you afraid of the dark? I am. I keep hearing all the monsters after I'm in bed. I've tried to ignore them but they are filling me with dread. I fear they will come for me after I'm asleep. But I stay very quiet so they'll never hear a peep. But I can take it no longer, if it's kids that they crave. I'm prepared to confront them so I need to be brave.  

 RUMBLE, RUMBLE! Do you hear that? I think it's coming from the basement but I hope it's the cat. What if it has red eyes, green skin, and big claws, ready to eat me with wide open jaws? Let's be careful because I think it's a people eater...oh! But it isn't. It's just the water heater.  

 SCRATCH, SCRATCH! What's that sound? That might be a hungry 6 armed monster we've found. I heard it in the dining room what could it be...oh! It's just the wind going through the big oak tree.  

 CLICK, CLICK! I heard something, how about you? It's coming from the kitchen so let's stay out of view. It might be a robot that has a kid squasher...oh, never mind! It's just the dishwasher. 

 Okay, so maybe I don't need to be afraid of the dark. Because so far it's all been a lark. No monsters in basements, nor outside getting in, or even robots to squish me in a bin. 

 SHHHHH wait! I hear something, a faint BOOM, BOOM! Could that be a monster upstairs in my room? Let's quietly go and check it out. What if it's a monster with a big ugly snout.  

 Careful, the closet door is ajar. So I really hope it won't jump out and go RAWR! There! Do you see it? the tail is swishing...oh silly me, it's just the cat, toy fishing. 

 Okay, I think the house is all cleared. There weren't any monsters as much as I feared. I can finally get some sleep safe and sound snuggling the cutest monster around.