Description:
A bilingual story about Elliot, who fears a monster in his new bedroom. With Dad's help, he discovers the true source of the sounds and learns to sleep peacefully again.
Brief description: Tuula Pere (b. 1958) holds a Ph.D. in Law and is an award-winning children's author from Helsinki, Finland. Her doctoral dissertation, published in 2015, examines the limits of freedom of speech in the Finnish mass media amidst the social and cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to her doctoral research, Tuula Pere had a career spanning over two decades as a lawyer and held various expert and executive positions in large industrial companies.Since 2010, Tuula Pere has published over seventy children's books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She has also authored poetry and aphorisms for children, as well as short stories and non-fiction for adults. Tuula Pere is an avid music and sports enthusiast and a keen baker. She is married and the mother of three.
Review Quotes:
"Dread in the Dark takes readers through the emotional landscape of becoming an older sibling-balancing jealousy, nighttime fears, and the longing to feel heard. Pere skillfully uses a relatable situation to show how validating a child's worries builds confidence and emotional safety."
- Literary Titan
"Dread in the Dark captures the very real fears a child may feel when their routine changes. Pere presents those anxieties with empathy, helping young readers recognize that their feelings are normal and manageable. A comforting, beautifully illustrated story for anyone navigating nighttime worries."
- Readers' Favorite, Courtnee Turner Hoyle
"Pere relates to a child's terror in a non-threatening way, showing how small changes can feel overwhelming-and how understanding can light the way forward."
- Readers' Favorite, Courtnee Turner Hoyle
"A deeply relatable tale about a child navigating a new room, new sounds, and new emotions. Pere perfectly captures the importance of acknowledging a child's fears and providing gentle reassurance."
- Literary Titan
"A sensitive and insightful story that helps children open up about their fears and gives caregivers a tool for gentle conversation."
- Readers' Favorite, Courtnee Turner Hoyle