A Spark in the Dark

A little fish lost in the deep, dark ocean must find a spark of light to find its way home. Pam Fong’s A Spark in the Dark is a powerful picture book about the ocean of feelings inside all of us. This exceptional choice for social and emotional learning belongs on shelves beside Cori Doerrfeld’s The Rabbit Listened, Dan Santat’s After the Fall, and Aliki's Feelings.

There is light, and there is dark. But sometimes the dark creeps up and surrounds you. Still, even in those deep, dark moments, you can always find a spark of light, if you look. Because while you need light to find your way through the dark, you also need dark to see the light.

Author-artist Pam Fong’s gentle text and luminous artwork guide readers through the dangers and marvels of the deep sea with an expressive little fish. A lush and moving picture book that gives young readers—and their parents—a way to think about and talk about the wide ocean of emotions that everyone feels.

Whether you are mad, sad, scared, or lost in the dark, there’s always hope—a spark of light to lead you back home. A Spark in the Dark is a book to read aloud, a book to share, and a book to return to whenever you need it.