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Children's Fiction Science & Technology

The Darkest Dark

by (author) Chris Hadfield & Kate Fillion

illustrated by Eric Fan & Terry Fan

Publisher
Tundra
Initial publish date
Sep 2016
Category
Science & Technology, Emotions & Feelings, Canada
Recommended Age
3 to 7
Recommended Grade
p to 2
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781101918623
    Publish Date
    Sep 2016
    List Price
    $22.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan's lush, evocative illustrations, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible.
Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he's a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem--at night, Chris doesn't feel so brave. He's afraid of the dark.
But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is--and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company.

About the authors

 

Chris Hadfield est un des astronautes les plus chevronnés et les plus accomplis du monde. Il est aussi l'auteur des succès de librairie internationaux Guide d'un astronaute pour la vie sur Terre et You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes. Le meilleur étudiant diplômé de la U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School en 1988 et le pilote de l'année du U.S. Navy test en 1991, Chris Hadfield a été sélectionné par l'Agence spatiale canadienne comme astronaute en 1992. Il a assumé la fonction de commandant de la Station spatiale internationale où il a réalisé un nombre record d'expériences scientifiques et a supervisé une sortie d'urgence dans l'espace. Il a aussi publié des photographies à couper le souffle et des vidéos éducatives sur la vie dans l'espace qui lui ont valu une reconnaissance mondiale. Sa vidéo en apesanteur de la chanson « Space Oddity » du regretté David Bowie a été visualisée plus de 30 millions de fois en ligne!

 

Chris Hadfield is one of the world's most seasoned and accomplished astronauts, and is the author of the #1 international bestseller, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth and You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes. The top graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 1988 and U.S. Navy test pilot of the year in 1991, Hadfield was selected by the Canadian Space Agency to be an astronaut in 1992. Hadfield most recently served as Commander of the International Space Station where, while conducting a record-setting number of scientific experiments and overseeing an emergency spacewalk, he gained worldwide acclaim for his breathtaking photographs and educational videos about life in space. His music video, a zero-gravity version of David Bowie's “Space Oddity,” has received more than 30 million views online.

 

Chris Hadfield's profile page

 

 

Terry et Eric Fan aussi connus sous le nom The Fan Brothers (frères Fan),ont étudié les arts à l'Ontario College of Art and Design, à Toronto. Ils utilisent des techniques traditionnelles et numériques pour réaliser leurs illustrations. Le jardinier de la nuit, leur premier album illustré, a été acclamé par la critique.

 

Eric Fan is an artist and writer who lives in Toronto, Canada. He attended the Ontario College of Art and Design where he studied illustration, sculpture, and film. He has a passion for vintage bikes, clockwork contraptions, and impossible dreams. His widely-praised debut picture book, Le jardinier de la nuit, was a collaboration with his brother Terry.

 

Eric Fan's profile page

 

 

Terry et Eric Fan aussi connus sous le nom The Fan Brothers (frères Fan),ont étudié les arts à l'Ontario College of Art and Design, à Toronto. Ils utilisent des techniques traditionnelles et numériques pour réaliser leurs illustrations. Le jardinier de la nuit, leur premier album illustré, a été acclamé par la critique.

 

Terry Fan received his formal art training at Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. His work is a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques, using ink or graphite mixed with digital. He spends his days (and nights) creating magical paintings, portraits, and prints. Together with his brother Eric, he wrote and illustrated the critically-acclaimed picture book, Le jardinier de la nuit.

Eric Fan is an artist and writer who lives in Toronto, Canada. He attended the Ontario College of Art and Design where he studied illustration, sculpture, and film. He has a passion for vintage bikes, clockwork contraptions, and impossible dreams. His widely-praised debut picture book, Le jardinier de la nuit, was a collaboration with his brother Terry.

 

Terry Fan's profile page

Kate Fillion's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, UKLA Book Award
  • Nominated, Blue Spruce Award
  • Short-listed, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards
  • Short-listed, Shining Willow Award
  • Short-listed, Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
  • Winner, IODE Jean Throop Book Award

Editorial Reviews

SELECTION 2016 - Junior Library Guild Selection
SELECTION 2018 – BookRiot 50 Must-Read Canadian Children’s and YA Books
One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2019)

PRAISE FOR The Darkest Dark:

"The Fan brothers (The Night Gardener) switch easily between fantasy elements and documentary images. . . . The idea that a famous astronaut was once afraid of the dark may win some recalcitrant bed-goers’ hearts, and readers with dreams of space travel will jump at this." --Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

"Canadian astronaut Hadfield’s uplifting tale about facing one’s fears and finding strength and comfort in one’s dreams is eloquently illustrated by the Fan Brothers’ lustrous paintings." --School Library Journal
"The Fans’ whimsical illustrations of nighttime scenes, in a dusky twilight palette, help illustrate Chris’ fears as well as his excitement about the boundless possibilities of exploration in the dark. A warm and empowering story of triumph over fears." --Booklist

"The Darkest Dark soars as an inspiration for children trying to overcome a fear as well as dreamers wondering if they will triumph. Of course, the lesson here is ageless." --The Observer
"The Darkest Dark is the perfect picture book for soothing night time fears, as well as for encouraging children to reach for their dreams. As Chris Hadfield demonstrates with aplomb, dreams 'actually can come true.'" --Children's Book Review

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