Who's Afraid of the Light?
★ A dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books selection for 2024
★ Winner of the 2023 Whitley Award: Children’s Reader
★ Shortlisted for the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards: Children’s Literature
Fergus lives down in the deepest, darkest depths of the sea and is scared of just one thing … the light!
Come on a trip to the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean.
There are many fascinating creatures that call it home.
There’s nothing to be afraid of …
… is there?
From the award-winning creator of Anemone is Not the Enemy and A Pair of Pears and an Orange comes this spooky, funny adventure with a surprise twist that you literally won’t see coming.
Anna McGregor introduces young readers to the wonders of the ocean’s ‘midnight zone’, where no sunlight at all is able to penetrate. We meet Fergus as he hides from a parade of sea creatures that use bioluminescence to find their way in the dark. At least, we think he is hiding … or is it something else entirely?
Download Teaching Notes
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Ages 3–7 | 280mm × 225mm | 32pp | 3 Pantones | Glow-in-the-dark ink on cover
Author & Illustrator: Anna McGregor
AUD$24.99 | £12.99 | US$18.95 (Hardback)
AU Edition (Hardback) | AUD$24.99
Publication Date: 2 May 2023
ISBN: 9781922585394
UK Edition (Hardback) | £12.99 | Buy at Bookshop.org.uk
Publication Date: 13 July 2023
ISBN: 9781914484353
US Edition (Hardback) | US$18.95 | Buy at Bookshop.org
Publication Date: 1 August 2023
ISBN: 9781957363431
‘Who’s Afraid of the Light is a lively, inventive and informative book that will be loved by readers aged three and up. It begs to be read aloud with a friend or family member.’
—Jacqui Davies, Books+Publishing
‘Playful and inventive, this book bridges genres of fiction and non-fiction and manages to elevate the form of the picture book into a cinematic work. Stunning design and fabulous comic timing makes this a standout picture book that will make readers laugh out loud. … Who’s Afraid of the Light is an example of great children’s literature that manages to tell a story, inform, engage, entertain and inspire wonder, while showing a huge respect for the audience.’
—2024 VPLA judges
Anna McGregor is a creator of modern, quirky and conceptual stories with humour and heart. Since beginning her career as a graphic designer, Anna is now emerging as an award-winning picture book author/illustrator.
Anna’s driving purpose is to delight and entertain children through timeless storytelling. With them, she explores evergreen issues through a child’s lens and allows them to interpret the stories in their own way and draw their own conclusions.
Anna has a deep curiosity of all things and finds her ideas by turning the mundane on its head, merging ideas or exploring wordplay — but always with a story that connects to the human experience.
Anna lives in Melbourne, Australia with her husband and son.
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