The Dark
School year: Lower 6th, Upper 6th, Year 1, Year 10, Year 11, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9
No. of pages 40
Published: 2014
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This book is the winner of numerous awards
This book has been graded for interest at 3-5 years.
There are 40 pages in this book.
This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+).
This book was published in 2014 by Hachette Children's Group .
Lemony Snicket is the author of A Series Of Unfortunate Events and Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography. He generally spends his holidays recuperating. Jon Klassen is a Canadian writer and illustrator of children's books and an animator. He won both the American Caldecott Medal and the British Kate Greenaway Medal for children's book illustration, recognizing the 2012 picture book `This is Not My Hat'.
Goodreads Award: Best Picture Books
Kate Greenaway Medal Shortlist
Bedtime And Dreams in literature
Self Esteem And Self Reliance in literature
Emotions And Feelings in literature
Kate Greenaway Medal
This book has been nominated for the following awards:
Parents' Choice Award - Picture Book
This book was recognised in the Picture Book category by the Parents' Choice Award.
North Carolina Children's Book Award - Picture Book
This book was recognised in the Picture Book category by the North Carolina Children's Book Award.
Georgia Children's Book Award - Picture Book
This book was recognised in the Picture Book category by the Georgia Children's Book Award.
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Ages 0-7 Years
This book was recognised in the Ages 0-7 Years category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens.
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books - Children
This book was recognised in the Children category of the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books.
Nappa Gold Award - Family
This book was recognised in the Family category by the Nappa Gold Award.
Nappa Gold Award - Tweens & Teens
This book was recognised in the Tweens & Teens category by the Nappa Gold Award.
Governor General's Literary Award - Illustrated
This book was recognised in the Illustrated category by the Governor General's Literary Award.
The Charlotte Zolotow Award is given annually to the author of the best picture book text published in the United States in the preceding year. Any picture book for young children (birth through age seven) originally written in English and published by a U.S. or Canadian publisher in 2024 will be eligible for consideration for the 2025 Zolotow Award. The book may be fiction, nonfiction or folklore, as long as it is presented in picture book form for children in the birth through age seven range. Translated books, poetry collections, and easy readers are not eligible.
Established in 1998, the award is named to honor the work of Charlotte Zolotow, a distinguished children’s book editor for 38 years with Harper Junior Books. The award was established and is administered by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a children’s literature library of the School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Each year a committee of children’s literature experts selects the winner from the books published in the preceding year. Members of the selection committee are appointed to a two-year term by the CCBC professional staff based on an individual’s knowledge of children’s books, a demonstrated ability to evaluate children’s books and discuss them critically, and/or direct experience working professionally with children from birth through age seven. A CCBC librarian serves as one of the five members. Members are appointed to staggered, two-year terms. The committee will select one winner. It may also designate up to five honor books and up to ten titles to be included on a highly commended list that will call attention to outstanding writing in picture books.
Buckeye Children's Book Award - Grades K-2
This book was recognised in the Grades K-2 category by the Buckeye Children's Book Award.
Kate Greenaway Award
The Kate Greenaway Medal is a prestigious annual award presented in the United Kingdom to honour outstanding illustration in children's literature. Established in 1955, the award is named after the famous Victorian illustrator and author Kate Greenaway, who is celebrated for her charming and distinctive illustrations in children's books. The Kate Greenaway Medal aims to recognize and celebrate exceptional illustrations in children's books, highlighting the critical role that visual storytelling plays in engaging young readers. The award is open to any book that is illustrated for children and published in the UK during the eligibility period. This includes various genres, such as picture books, graphic novels, and illustrated stories. A panel of judges reviews submissions to select the shortlist of nominated titles. The judging criteria focus on artistic merit, originality, and the ability to enhance the story being told. The shortlisted titles are announced each year, and the winner is selected from this list
Setting the picture book world alight with quirky and evocative style. * tBk Mag *
Irresistible. * Bookseller *
"Definitely keep this one handy for little ones - and grown-ups, for that matter- who are still scared of the dark". * The Saturday Age, Melbourne *
"The book takes a unique and engaging angle on a common theme, giving it a dark new twist that ultimately will leave children empowered and enthralled". * The Courier Mail, Brisbane *
Snicket and Klassen are an inspired pairing in this suspenseful take on childhood fear. . . . a memorable ride on the emotional roller coaster that great storytelling creates. Ages 3-6. * Publishers Weekly *
The originality of The Dark is breathtaking, as are the pictures and prose. Klassen and Snicket play to their combined strengths. This elegant, vividly written tale should win some shuteye for all - and prizes for its creators. * The Times *
Highly original and visually stunning. * * * * * * Bookbag *
A powerhouse. * School Library Journal *
Lemony Snicket plays masterfully with the picture book genre in The Dark. Jon Klassen's Seventies-style illustrations are a perfect match for Snicket's wit and virtuosity. * The Daily Telegraph *
A familiar fear is given a new lease of life... serious, clever and intensely illustrated. * The Guardian *
He eloquently reminds us what it is to be afraid of the dark and also, with Jon Klassen's simple, illuminating drawings, guarantees that readers see the light. * The Observer *
A picturebook not to miss. (Children's Book of the Week) * Sunday Times *
Simply told and evocatively drawn, this is an ideal book to read with young children. * The Scotsman *
A reassuring story for any children who may be afraid of the dark. * Sunday Express *
If ever there was a perfect creative pairing of words and pictures, surely this is it. * Daily Mail *
Thoughtful, perceptive and very reassuring. * Parents In Touch *
Captivating picture book for younger children that is sure to become a library essential in no time. A powerful narrative... evocatively illustrated. There's really no good reason not to have this on your shelves. * Teach Nursery *
Brilliant. * Little Fiction Fascination *
A powerful and moving tale which will entertain and encourage others to fight their fear of the dark. * Bury Free Press *
Any child afraid of the dark will find solace in this elegant fable about everyday bravery. Beautiful images... charming text... a story as simple as it is timeless. * Financial Times *
Funny, poignant and beautifully drawn, it is sure to be a classic. * Ham & High *
A sweet and emotional picture book. A great book for all children who are afraid of the dark. * Baby & Me *
Lovely retro-styled illustrations... beguiling. * Financial Times *
Jon Klassen's artwork, a sequence of variations on themes of darkness and light, captures precisely the spareness of the prose as we watch young Laszlo, the central character, emerge from one to the other. * Irish Times *
The Dark has leapt straight into my list of favourite books. A beautiful book that every home should own. 10/10 * Books with Bunny *
With emotional insight and poetic economy, Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen bring to light a universal and empowering story about conquering fear. * Green Parent *
Sleek, stylish. * Financial Times *
A powerful fable about a child's fear and mastery of the dark. * Books for Keeps *
A charming and thoughtful book which, along with its endearing illustrations, will ensure a fast friendship between children and the dark everywhere. * Mail on Sunday *
The beauty and the power of this book is in the design, the precision of the drawing, the angles created in the turn of the staircase, the unrelenting fathomless dark, and the fearful symmetry of the shapes. * Books for Keeps *
Original, delightful and empowering. Jon Klassen's illustrations are a perfect match for this outstanding picture book. * Julia Eccleshare - Lovereading *
A charming tale by the inimitable Lemony Snicket, beautifully illustrated by Jon Klassen. * zaparents *
