Flashlight

by Betsy James, Stacey Schuett

Waking up in the dark at Grandpa's house can be scary—the door in the hallway looks like a cave, and that noise could be a bear. Lucky for Marie, the bear is really Grandpa, who's come to offer some reassurance and a flashlight that will make the dark house a lot less spooky. The beam of the flashlight makes the shadows disappear, reveals familiar objects, and illuminates the moths and mosquitoes dancing against the screen door. From the warmth of its light comes a newfound strength—suddenly even bears can be tamed, and one little girl's fear of the dark melts away. Stacey Schuett's vibrant illustrations perfectly capture the mood of this bedtime adventure as well as the special bond between a child and her wise grandpa.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 1997

About the author

Award-winning author-illustrator Betsy James has written and/or illustrated more than a dozen books for children and young adults. She lives in New Mexico where she hikes, grows corn, and shares the shade of a cottonwood tree with one small ground squirrel and several toads.

Reviews

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie is sleeping with her sister on the couch in her grandparents home. Mom and Dad are far away, down the hall. Everything seems dark and unfamiliar. When she makes an anxious sound, her grandpa brings her a flashlight. She investigates the darkness bit by bit, dispelling all the fears aroused by the mysterious shapes. When she calls, her grandfather comes again to reassure. The light empowers her and Marie finally turns off the flashlight and whispers a comforting word to her little sister.

The story line made a lot more sense to me than The Dark by Lemony Snicket. The sense of love and acceptance from the grandfather was lovely.

The illustrations are beautiful. The flashlight makes things glow. And especially wonderful illustration is on the page where the girl says, “I can cover with one hand. Watch! The flashlights warm. Fire close right through my bones. I can go into dark places, shining.”

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about a girl who is afraid of what is in the dark. Her Grandpa gives her a flashlight and she explores the world of darkness and light using the flashlight.
I loved the illustrations. The girl also uses her imagination as to what the objects in the room are like until she turns on the flashlight to see what the object actually is.

[The Brothers · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little girl is sleeping at grandpa's house and is scared of the dark. He brings her a flashlight which she plays with for a little while and the goes to sleep. A tad tedious - a little too much "pretty" writing for my boys.

Illustrations are also a little tedious.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever been afraid of the dark? This is a sweet story and I love that Grandpa comes to give her a flashlight and the adventures she goes on. Great illustrations....Enjoyed the story. Underrated little book!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story about a girl who is afraid of the dark was well written. The changing nature of the objects in the room as it went from dark to light was central to the story. I liked the descriptions.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems counter-productive to me. Things are going ok, until late in the story when the shadows are back, even when the light is on.... I'd be more scared after reading this than before, I think.

[Miss Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Marie become scared in the night Grandpa comes to the rescue with a flashlight. He then lets her keep it so she won't be scared.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Afraid in the dark this girl gets a flashlight from her grandpa to help her make sense of all the shapes that surround her at this strange place.