The Dragon Who Was Afraid of the Dark
from €37.90 incl. VAT + €6.90 shipping · free from 2 books
30 pages, 20 x 20 cm, your child drawn from your photo on every illustrated page.
Hardcover €47.90 · Softcover €37.90
Your child is the first hero, and up to 2 more: brother or sister, mum or dad, grandparent, another grown-up. €8.00 per extra hero
Personalise this book1 day: we create and check your book · 2–5 days: printing · 3–6 days: delivery
Every book is checked page by page before it's printed.
A tiny dragon needs a brave friend to light the way.
What's inside
- 30 pages, 4 of them colouring pages to fill in
- 20 × 20 cm hardcover (softcover too)
- Thick silk paper (170 g)
- A page for grown-ups: tips and questions to talk about
- Your child drawn from your photo on every illustrated page
What makes it different
- Drawn from your photo on every illustrated page, not a cartoon with a name pasted in
- In a Greek book, the name takes its right form in every sentence (του Γιώργου, τον Γιώργο)
- Every book is checked page by page before it's printed
Watch the title change here and on every book on the site. It stays in this browser tab only.
Helps with
Bedtime fears
Fear of the dark: feeling calm and safe at bedtime, even while still a little scared.
The tool your child practises in the story
Dragon breaths and a brave light
Practise in the daytime first, when everyone is calm: breathe in slowly through the nose like smelling a flower, then breathe out a long, warm dragon breath, three times, saying "Smell the flower, blow the fire, slow and warm." At bedtime, give your child a small, soft night-light they can switch on and hold. Do the breaths together until your child can do them alone.
For grown-ups
What this story is about
Many children feel scared of the dark at bedtime. In this story your child meets a little dragon who feels the same, and together they learn dragon breaths and switch on a brave light. The fear does not vanish by magic: your child learns to feel it and still settle down calmly.
Three ways to talk about it
- Name and accept the feeling: "The dark can feel scary. Lots of people feel that way, and it's okay."
- Instead of "There's nothing to be scared of", look around the room together with a soft light and name what the shapes really are.
- Keep bedtime calm and predictable, and say where you will be: "I'm right next door."
Three questions to ask
- How did Sparky feel in the dark? Have you ever felt like that?
- What helped Sparky and the child in the story feel calmer?
- What would your own brave light look like?
Practise the tool together: Dragon breaths and a brave light
Practise in the daytime first, when everyone is calm: breathe in slowly through the nose like smelling a flower, then breathe out a long, warm dragon breath, three times, saying "Smell the flower, blow the fire, slow and warm." At bedtime, give your child a small, soft night-light they can switch on and hold. Do the breaths together until your child can do them alone.
If fears of the dark are very strong, last for weeks, or keep your child from sleeping, it is worth talking to your paediatrician or a child psychologist.
From a photo to the book
One phone photo is all we need. Here is Ella's photo and the cover we made from it.
Invented example: Ella is a made-up child, not a customer. The photo was made for this example; the book was made from it the same way we make yours.
Look inside
Twelve illustrated spreads: the picture on the left, the story on the right. These sample pages show an invented child called Ella.
"Who are you?" came a whisper from under the quilt. "I'm Sparky," sniffed the little dragon. "Dragons are supposed to be brave. But I'm scared of the dark." "Me too. Just a little. Mostly the tall thing by the door." Sparky's eyes went wide. "Really?" Ella patted the quilt. Pat, pat. "There's room right here." Sparky fluttered over and snuggled in.
"Grandma Dragon taught me a trick," said Sparky. "Watch." Sparky sniffed in, slow and long, like smelling a flower. Then out came a long, warm dragon breath. Hhhaaaa. "Smell the flower. Blow the fire. Slow and warm. Now you!" The first try came out as a snort. Snrrk! Sparky giggled. Second try: sniff... hhhaaaa. The thump-thump slowed, just a little. But the room was still very, very dark.
Together they followed the glow. The tall thing by the door had two empty sleeves and a belt. "It's my dressing gown!" The lumpy thing in the corner had ears. Lots of ears. "And that's the toy box, full of teddies." Sparky let out a little puff of smoke. "Oh. Things look much bigger in the dark." Then, by the window, the curtain began to move.
The door opened a crack. "Still awake, sweetheart?" Quick as a wink, Sparky dived behind the curtain. "A little scared," whispered Ella. "Could you leave the door open? Just a little?" "Of course. I'm right next door." And the door stayed open, just a crack. A thin line of warm hallway light lay across the floor, like a golden ribbon.
Now there was only the quiet room, the brave light, and one small someone in the bed. The dark was still there. A tiny bit of scared was still there too. Creak, went the house, very softly. Thump-thump. Smell the flower. Blow the fire. Slow and warm. One... two... three. Thump... thump... thump. The fingers holding the quilt let go, one by one.
Spread 1 of 5
Inside the book
Twelve illustrated spreads: the picture on the left, the story on the right. This sample uses an invented family to show the illustration style.
One more story for Mia. One more hug. Then click, the big light went off. "Goodnight, sleep tight," said a warm voice at the door. "I'm just next door." Now the room was dark. Something tall stood by the door. Something lumpy sat in the corner. Up came the quilt, right to the nose. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Who can be a hero
Your child, and more heroes if you like
Your child is the first hero, and up to 2 more: brother or sister, mum or dad, grandparent, another grown-up.
Your child and a tiny dragon learn dragon breaths and switch on a small brave light.
- Hardcover: €47.90
- Softcover: €37.90
+ €6.90 shipping · free from 2 books
Personalise this book
Styles
Soft 3D
AvailableRounded, softly lit 3D characters with big expressive eyes. Faces stay recognisable: hair, glasses, smile.
Storybook gouache
AvailableMatte, hand-painted colours with visible brush texture and soft edges, like a classic picture book.
Watercolour
AvailableLoose, soft washes of colour with fine ink lines and the texture of real paper.
Pencil and watercolour
AvailableColoured pencil over light watercolour washes, warm and drawn by hand.
Paper collage
AvailableLayers of cut and torn coloured paper, with grain and edges you can almost touch.
Clay
AvailableSculpted from soft modelling clay, like a handmade stop-motion film.
Vintage storybook
AvailableThe look of mid-century picture books: flat shapes, muted colours, a soft printed grain.
Fantasy painting
AvailableRich, painterly fantasy scenes full of glowing light.
Anime-inspired
AvailableClean line art, cel shading and large, expressive eyes.
Pop anime 3D
AvailableCel-shaded 3D with big sparkling eyes and bright, glowing colours.
Bold comic
AvailableThick ink lines, flat bright colours, halftone dots and dynamic angles.
Cute chibi
AvailableTiny bodies, big heads and soft pastel colours.
Formats and prices
Prices include VAT.
+ €6.90 shipping · free from 2 books