Ella McBella lives in a city and goes out to play after school until it's time for supper. Then she gets ready for bed and stories. But it gets dark outside and there are noises. And shadows. But then...
On pastel backgrounds with vivid colors and simple illustrations, this book will be a favorite for a long time. Maybe get one for the local library, too!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Notable Kids Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
And I see that it is printed by Worzalla Books in my home state! ( )

This is a charming picture book that every parent and every child will surely relate to. Ella McBella is a spunky child who is brave by day, and fearful by night as the light goes out and the monsters move in - mobs of them from the “gloppy and green ones that lurk from down deep” (my favourites) to the dark, hairy, and sharply-horned night creatures.

The author tells the story with gentle rhyming prose and lovely illustrations, patterned with gorgeous pastel backdrops that soothe and calm and I expect would tune a younger child’s anxious resonance with Bella’s fears down a notch.

Feisty Bella is indeed a trooper - working through her fears on her own with several strategies - including reaching out to her friends (teddy bears), singing songs, and distracting herself with books, each of which are helpful and accessible tools any child can master. Finally, Ella turns on the light - which banishes her fears immediately. The authors final stroke of insight is to have Ella then look out the window, becoming aware of the creatures of the night, and their dependence on the darkness for their nightly activities.

“Without the night sky, if the sun never sleeps,
Opossums won’t dance or frolic or leap.”

Older children will pick up on and learn from this final strategy - the more we understand, the less we have to fear.

5 stars for this little wonder of a book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Notable Kids Publishing, and the author for an advance review copy of this book. All thoughts presented here are my own. ( )