This is one of the best picture books of the last 15 years. It’s essentially a therapy session disguised as a spooky story. Snicket and Klassen don't try to 'cure' the fear of the dark with logic; they transform the dark into a character you can understand and even respect.

The art is gorgeous, the text is sparse but heavy with meaning, and the ending is genuinely satisfying. It’s a must-own for any parent dealing with the 'there's a monster in my closet' phase. It’s not 'brain rot'—it’s the opposite: it’s a high-quality, atmospheric read that actually leaves your kid feeling a little bit braver.