First published 2018
Nicholas faces a world full of terrors. Dark spaces beyond his bedroom door make him freeze. Giant bugs lurk in every bush. Manhole covers hide unknown dangers underneath. His father seems afraid of nothing at all. Nicholas wants that same courage, but he cannot find it alone. His toy dinosaur becomes his secret weapon. Dinosaurs love darkness and ignore bugs completely. They devour manhole covers like snacks. With his dinosaur companion, Nicholas climbs high walls and swims in deep water. He even scores against Gorilla, the massive goalie who intimidates everyone else. Then disaster strikes. The dinosaur disappears. Every fear floods back stronger than before. Nicholas feels helpless again until his father shares an important truth. Even brave people get scared sometimes. Asking for help takes real courage. Together, father and son discover that facing fears is just part of growing up.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-the-monster
40 pages · Paperback · Scholastic