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The Darkest Dark

Book Synopsis

This updated picture book of The Darkest Dark by astronaut Chris Hadfield, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

“While I was growing up, the Moon helped light the path to my dreams. But it was on a hot July night that my dreamy thoughts became real. The brave astronauts of Apollo 11 travelled to that distant place and stepped out onto its surface, their boots blazing a new trail in the ancient grey dust. Those footprints showed me that impossible things can happen.” Chris Hadfield.

Young Chris is a very important astronaut. When Dad says it’s time for bed – Sorry, no can do: An astronaut’s work is never done. But in the dark lurk all kinds of scary aliens. So Chris doesn’t like to sleep, but Mum and Dad do! When he watches in awe at the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Chris realizes he must overcome his fear of the dark. For in the darkest dark of space lies a power and a mystery that might just help Chris make his dreams come true.

Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield, author of An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth. The Darkest Dark is his debut children’s book, brought to life by the illustrations of Terry and Eric Fan. The evocative beauty of their pictures brings to life a bedtime story that will encourage children to dream big, think like an astronaut and embrace the unknown.

Our Review Panel says...

The Darkest Dark tells the true story of how Chris Hadfield conquered his childhood fear of the dark after watching the Apollo 11 moon landing, thus paving the way for his own journey to become an astronaut. The foreword and afterword from Chris add excellent context which makes the story even more inspiring.

Children will be able to empathise with Chris’ fear of night-time monsters which he overcomes through his realisation of ‘the power and mystery and velvety black beauty of the dark’ in space. The expansive artwork on the pages conveying the awesome majesty of space contrasts beautifully with the earth-bound portraits of a warm and loving human family. The uplifting message of this book inspires the reader to dream big; as Chris says ‘Your dreams are always with you…Big dreams about the kind of person you want to be. Wonderful dreams about the life you will live. Dreams that actually can come true’.

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