In the Dark of the Night
What’s inside...
It's bedtime, but in the warmth of the den, a young wolf cub cannot sleep. Papa Wolf knows why: the time has come to take his cub out into the dark night. As they walk deeper into the woods, Papa Wolf soothes his young son's fears away. And when they reach the top of the world, he shows how big wolves make the night their own — and that the cub, too, is now part of the night. Magical watercolor illustrations of the wolves and their forest home are the perfect complement to this enchanting read-aloud story.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters' feelings change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What do you think is the most important message of this book?
Can you tell me about a time you felt like the main character?
How would you help a friend who was in a similar situation as in the book?
What are some ways the characters could solve their problems differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Let your child express their thoughts freely, showing genuine interest in their ideas.
Refer back to specific parts of the story to help your child recall details and build their comprehension skills.
Connect the story's themes or situations to your child’s personal experiences to make the conversation more relatable.
Encourage your child to imagine alternate endings or solutions to the story, enhancing their creative and critical thinking.
Validate your child’s feelings and thoughts to reinforce their confidence in expressing themselves.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: In the story, characters confront their fears of the dark and unknown, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by tackling their own fears, such as trying new activities or facing challenges in school.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book often work together to solve problems, highlighting the strength of collective effort.
Real-World Application: This can translate to children learning to collaborate with peers in group projects or playing team sports.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters show empathy towards each other's fears, fostering a sense of mutual respect and support.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to show empathy towards their friends and family members, understanding and respecting differences and emotions.