Many creatures are afraid of the dark, but in Who’s Afraid of the Light? we get the other side of the story. We go deep into the darkness of the ocean, where we find so many different creatures. However, because it is pitch black down there, the dark is safe for a friend our narrator makes. So, when we find light, we know danger is coming. Or, is it? Meeting a few creatures such as the anglerfish and vampire squid. In a young format we learn a little something about each one. And in the end, our friend, Fergus to be exact, has a surprise to let us in on.
Anna McGregor’s clever text, and even more clever illustrations are a hoot and a holler. Things are child-like, but not childish. Things are a bit busy, but also open. The wording is simple and short, the colors fit the scenes around us. While we are exploring the dark, we experience this as if we are the creatures below. The chalk on the chalkboard looking images are sweet and kept me reading. They will capture your and your toddlers attention.
Everything is funny and yet, we can learn. There is a short afterwards that gives more information and at the beginning and end of the book there are two seagulls you want to keep your eye on, not to mention a few other critters at the start that you must take the advice of to get you where you are going. Plus you might learn about a new animal, like I did with the spookfish and a Fergus! Great for a classroom, library or your own collection. Great for science lovers or to get them started in non-traditional animals.
