Hello, Dark

In a reassuring bedtime book perfectly pitched to ease sleep anxiety, a little boy overcomes his worries by befriending the darkness

A little boy faces his fear of the dark by engaging in a conversation with it. Imagining the dark as a friendly shadow creature, the boy comes to the realization that the dark is not only a necessary part of life, but that it can be fun as well! The boy and his new friend play make believe, meditate, and listen to music until it's finally time to fall asleep.

In Hello, Dark, Wai Mei Wong's debut offers a mindful depiction of the dark that's perfect for bedtime and will help even the most restless sleepers find their own comfort after the lights go out. Tamara Campeau's compelling illustrations depict the boy's bedroom in deep and rich color that perfectly evokes the feeling of darkness without being frightening. A note to caregivers at the end of the book relays the author's experience as an early childhood educator who has often supported families seeking support to manage their child's fear of the dark and sleeping anxiety.

Wai Mei Wong is an early childhood educator with a passion for making sure children and their families have the emotional support they need to thrive. Her debut picture book, Hello, Dark, celebrates a child-led solution to nighttime anxiety as a little boy overcomes his fear of the dark by befriending it. Born in Hong Kong, Mei now lives in Toronto with her husband, her nature-loving son, and two feline friends, Sesame and Pepper.

Tamara Campeau's illustration journey began at Dawson College in Montreal, where she earned her associate's degree in illustration and design. Shortly after, she furthered her studies at Ontario's Sheridan College, where she attained her illustration bachelor's degree with honours. Tamara works digitally, using strong lighting and vibrant colour palettes to bring stories to life in her painterly illustrations. She loves creating endearing characters with a strong sense of personality and emotions, taking inspiration from wildlife, children, and the environments they reside in. When she's not at her desk, Tamara can be found breaking a sweat at the local gym or exploring nature with her standard poodle, Peanut.