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The Dark Was Done

Illustrated by Lauren Stringer

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About The Book

Teach little ones about overcoming fears and appreciating the beauty in all things—even the dark—with this poignant picture book about finding wonder in the nighttime.

Everyone was afraid of the Dark and pushed it away, wishing the Dark would leave. So one day, the Dark left and did not return. The Dark was done.

At first, nobody misses the Dark. But a young boy starts to miss creatures of the night: crickets singing and owls hooting and bats flying. He decides to go look for the Dark. One by one, others who miss the Dark and all its creatures and mysteries and magic join in. Can they find a way to bring back the Dark?

About The Author

Photo courtesy of the illustrator
Lauren Stringer

Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest Season, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, and Dark Was Done. She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at LaurenStringer.com.

About The Illustrator

Photo courtesy of the illustrator
Lauren Stringer

Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest Season, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, and Dark Was Done. She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at LaurenStringer.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Beach Lane Books (September 27, 2022)
  • Length: 48 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534462922
  • Ages: 4 - 8
  • Lexile ® AD470L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

"Bedtime fears? Meet your match in this tale of a cuddly, anthropomorphized darkness."

– Kirkus Reviews, 08/01/2022

"Stringer’s watercolor illustrations beautifully capture a world bathed in both stark light and soft darkness, and her lyrical text, with a storyteller’s cadence, calls out for repeated readings."

– Horn Book Magazine, 11/1/2022

Awards and Honors

  • Minnesota Book Awards Finalist

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Lauren Stringer