The Darkest Dark
What’s inside...
Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan's lush, evocative illustrations, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible. Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem—at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark. But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is—and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Chris felt when he was afraid of the dark, and how did his feelings change after watching the moon landing?
What do you imagine space feels like? What would you want to explore there?
Why is it important to face our fears, like Chris did?
What dreams do you have that feel as big as going to space? How can you work towards them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they already know about space and astronauts to build interest.
While reading, help your child connect to Chris's emotions by discussing a time they felt scared and what helped them.
Create a post-reading activity where you and your child list fears and discuss strategies to overcome them, reinforcing the book's theme of bravery.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their own 'darkest dark' and how they might light it up, fostering creativity and personal connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming fear
Explanation: The protagonist, inspired by his idol Chris Hadfield, learns to embrace the darkness instead of fearing it, realizing that the dark holds the promise of becoming an astronaut.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by facing their own fears and realizing that overcoming them can lead to fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.
Example Lesson: The importance of dreams
Explanation: Chris dreams of flying into space and this dream helps him handle his fear of the dark, showing that having dreams can provide strength and direction.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and pursue their dreams, understanding that dreams can guide and motivate them through challenges.
Example Lesson: Curiosity about the universe
Explanation: The book portrays space exploration positively, sparking curiosity about the stars, planets, and beyond.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to learn more about science, space, and exploration, potentially guiding future educational paths and interests.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Chris’s fears are acknowledged and not dismissed by the adults around him, teaching the value of understanding others' feelings.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of empathy by recognizing and respecting the fears and feelings of others, helping to foster kinder interactions and relationships.