Laszlo is a young boy who lives in a house where the dark is a physical presence. While Laszlo stays in his room with a nightlight, the dark mostly resides in the basement, occasionally hiding behind the shower curtain or in the closet. One night, the light in Laszlo’s room goes out, and a voice from the shadows beckons him downstairs. Laszlo follows the sound into the deepest corners of the basement. There, the dark directs him to a specific drawer containing a fresh lightbulb, transforming an intimidating void into a provider of utility.
This picture book serves children who experience anxiety when the lights are turned off. Readers see that darkness is a predictable neighbor rather than a predatory force. Jon Klassen’s heavy use of black ink and Lemony Snicket’s matter-of-fact tone help children personify their fears. The reader finishes the story with a practical perspective on nighttime surroundings, understanding that without the dark, a person would never know when they need to find a light.
- Published
- 2013
- Language
- EN
