About This Book
Reach for this book when the transition to bedtime has become a source of anxiety or resistance rather than a peaceful conclusion to the day. Joan Aiken, a master of whimsical storytelling, provides a collection of eight magical tales that reframe the night as a space of mystery, adventure, and comfort rather than darkness and solitude. By personifying elements of sleep and dreams, these stories help children externalize their nighttime fears and transform them into creative curiosity. The collection explores themes of family bonds, the power of imagination, and the gentle boundaries between the real world and the dream world. Written with a classic, folkloric feel, it is ideal for elementary-aged children who are outgrowing simple picture books but still crave the security of a shared story. A parent might choose this to foster a sense of wonder about the unseen world, making the 'eight o'clock' hour something to look forward to rather than avoid.
