The Wee Mouse Who Was Afraid of the Dark

...so i was thinking recently...

About childhood and as a child, my favorite book was definitely The Wee Mouse Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Margo Lundell. This is a short picture book, probably for children between the ages of three to six, about a little mouse girl who suddenly becomes afraid of the dark. The story takes place in a tiny animal village, built along a small river, with really detailed and vibrant pictures. The story shows her parents getting advice from various animal friends of different ways to help their daughter overcome her fear and sleep through the night.

I think the reason that this book was my favorite was because I could very directly relate to it. As a child I was very afraid of the dark and I always had a nightlight on in my bedroom. Not only could I relate to the wee mouse’s problem, but she resembled me too, as she is pictured on the front cover of the novel carrying her blanket—something that seems to be present in many of my own childhood pictures and memories. There are so many details that I remember so clearly about this book, whether it is because the book was my favorite, or because the details attributed to my liking of the book so much. I do know that the pictures were incredible and detailed, depicting little animals with people-like qualities, and outfits, perfectly balanced with a natural, but somewhat magical environment—boats made of leaves, and homes carved out of tree roots. I just remember reading this book and feeling like I was a part of this tiny, magical life, and knowing that the character in the book knew exactly how I felt. This was my first beginning in realizing that my struggles and feeling could be expressed in books in ways that would help me face and learn from them in my own life.