This is a charming picture book that every parent and every child will surely relate to. Ella McBella is a spunky child who is brave by day, and fearful by night as the light goes out and the monsters move in - mobs of them from the “gloppy and green ones that lurk from down deep” (my favourites) to the dark, hairy, and sharply-horned night creatures.

The author tells the story with gentle rhyming prose and lovely illustrations, patterned with gorgeous pastel backdrops that soothe and calm and I expect would tune a younger child’s anxious resonance with Bella’s fears down a notch.

Feisty Bella is indeed a trooper - working through her fears on her own with several strategies - including reaching out to her friends (teddy bears), singing songs, and distracting herself with books, each of which are helpful and accessible tools any child can master. Finally, Ella turns on the light - which banishes her fears immediately. The authors final stroke of insight is to have Ella then look out the window, becoming aware of the creatures of the night, and their dependence on the darkness for their nightly activities.

“Without the night sky, if the sun never sleeps,
Opossums won’t dance or frolic or leap.”

Older children will pick up on and learn from this final strategy - the more we understand, the less we have to fear.

5 stars for this little wonder of a book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Notable Kids Publishing, and the author for an advance review copy of this book. All thoughts presented here are my own.

I think this book would be great for children with a fear of the dark as Ella is easy to relate to as a character as well as a general classroom read to discuss fear and anxiety and different ways the children can overcome these using Ella's ideas as examples. Her transformation from independent and happy exploring alone to fearful as night approached is shown very well and in an easy o understand manner for children.
It is written in rhyme which I love for children's stories and it flows brilliantly. The illustrations are simple in some areas but still beautiful and don't distract from the words of the story.

Cute book! Great for kids who are just learning to read. The rhyming and word choice are great for young kids.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this children's book in exchange for an honest review. I think the storyline was fine, but I was not a fan of the illustrations. Overall, a middle of the road book with a common message.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute book about facing the fear of the dark. I liked the way the story flowed and the rhymes were cute. I thought the illustrations were a little too juvenile, but they were colorful.

3.5

The ARC for this book was provided by net galley, thank you.

I think this book is super cute and my daughter loves her! The MC Ella is a vibrant, energetic, imaginative, young girl who just wants to explore. The adorable rhymes helping Ella’s story along we’re definitely one of my daughters favorite parts as she’s learning how to point out rhyming words in class. My daughter also loved the fact that Ella was so brave and determined. She told me she wouldn’t have gotten out of her bed to check for monsters but after reading Ella McBella she said she knows how to do it now. Can’t wait to read this over and over again for both my daughters now.

This book would be incredibly useful for parents with young children who are afraid of the dark or experience some separation anxiety at bedtime.

Children will be able to resonate with Ella's feelings and worries.

The contrast between being a brave independent girl during the day, but then gets worried when it goes dark. Ella feels safe having snuggles with Mommy having her bedtime story, but then gets bubbles in her belly when the lights go out. She hears noises and thinks of monsters!

Gradually though, she is able to talk herself round and reason with herself. She puts on a lamp and things become much less scary. She looks out at the nocturnal animals and realises we need nighttime and darkness. She feels safe and happy with her teddies, a night light, and can sleep.

A brilliant book for alleviating fears at bedtime, through Ella's experiences and suggestions rather than having to just rely on your parent's word that it is ok!

Thank you NetGalley and Notable Kids Publishing for the e-arc.

First of all, Ella McBella's hair is something else! The illustrations really help show the type of character Ella is.While she is busy and on adventures all day, when nighttime comes, Ella's nerves wake up and she struggles settling down. The story is a bit long and the rhyming couplets make it sing-songy, but overall it is a cute story.

This is an adorable children’s book with a good story and beautiful illustrations.. This book explores those spooky things at night as a child falls asleep.

I did receive a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is an attempt to explore a fear of the dark. However I think it’s quite a confused story. The child is obviously quite young but is able to ride her bike to the park on her own. She finds reassurance in her books and cuddly toys but then realises that nighttime is when some nocturnal animals come out to play.

I think the author would have been better exploring just one of these themes. Also, the story is written in rhyme, which is great when done well, but this feels as though the story has been manipulated to fit the rhyme.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love how this book takes the spooky sounds at night & helps them seem less creepy. However, many books of this type exist and this one doesn’t seem to pull you in - it takes a bit too long telling about her day and seems to lose focus. That said, the rhyming and illustrations make it a cute read that kiddos will enjoy.

This is a cute little story about learning to face one's fears and even overcome them. A great little quick read. I wasn't a massive fan of the illustration style though.

*Thank you Netgalley for the gifted copy which I voluntarily read and am reviewing*

This was a cute children's book. I really enjoyed the pictures and the storyline. The only thing that I didn't really care for was the shape of the child's head! Other than that I really enjoyed this book!

My daughter had “night terrors” as a young child. I think this story would certainly have been read to her to help her overcome her fears.
Young children love rhyming books. I liked that the rhyming was short and concise which really helps in keeping young children engaged.
I would buy this as a present for a preschooler.
Definitely recommend to a parent with a child experiencing “night terrors.”
The illustrations are on point.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was a definite winner at our house! My kiddos were mesmerized and had me read it again right after I finished. This book rhymes throughout in a natural and rhythmic way that makes it easy to get into and fun to say. It is descriptive, engaging, silly, and fun. Ella is afraid of the dark and one day, overcomes that fear. It has a nice lesson that is helpful for emotional regulation and can be applied to other situations as well. My daughter loved that it was about a girl too, and that she had all of her stuffed animals and books, like her. My boys love anything contrary and frightening, so they roared with laughter when the monsters Ella imagines are shown and described. I will be watching for this one to come out in print, after it is published. A fun read for the whole family!!

Thank you to #netgalley, Laura Pells and the publishers for the ARC of Ella McBella In The Dark in exchange for an honest review.

Ella McBella in the Dark is a lyrical prose aimed at 5-8-year-olds about a little girl that has a typically busy 5 year old's day and heads home to bed. As night draws in she realises that she's afraid of the dark and has to find a solution.

This is a cute little bedtime story for young readers that aren't quite ready for segments of chapter books yet. It is brightly illustrated for a book that focusses on the dark substituting purple inkings for where I may have used blacks and dark blues. The text is easy to understand with only some of the creatures named, needing explaining. It has a lovely sing-song rhythm to take one on a soothing journey to sleep.

A very enjoyable read. 5/5.

Written in charming verse with vibrant illustrations, Ella McBella in the Dark explores the prevalent childhood problem of being scared of the dark at bedtime. With words written by Laura Pells and pictures by Peter Trimarco, this delightful book captures the whimsical magic of childhood during the day as it transitions to the anxiety of bedtime. With an active imagination, Ella has visions of monsters and mysterious creatures outside her window. Young readers watch as Ella uses various coping strategies such as finding companionship with her stuffed animals, turning the lights on, and escaping into a good book to distract her worried mind. Courageously, Ella dispels her fears and is able to return to sleep.

As a mother, I have spent countless nights reassuring my children that there are no monsters in their closet, or creatures lurking outside their window. Ella McBella in the Dark will alleviate those pesky nighttime fears for young readers. I would recommend this book to all parents of children with busy imaginations at nighttime.

This book is about a little girl named Bella who is independent and fun loving by day, frightened by night. The story tells her a day of adventures and then her nighttime where she hears sounds and sees things that scare her. By the end, she realizes that there are creatures at night that need the dark and it makes her feel better about the darkness. This is a good children’s book so they can see that they aren’t alone in being afraid sometimes. The illustrations are nice too.

Fabulous book for any child that is scared of the dark and all the things they imagine are going on once it gets dark!
It follows a little girl who is out playing and having fun, but as soon as it starts getting dark she starts to worry and panic, and then she can't sleep.
In this book she confronts her fears and realises there is nothing to be scared of.

As a mother with a 4 year old who often wakes scared at night from sudden noises he hears, this would be a great book for those young ones with nighttime fears. I like how it really emphasizes her anxiety and stress as the day comes to an end and she prepares for night. Then it goes through the steps of her being scared to braving her woes and turning on the light & looking out the window at the noises. Once she discovers all is well and there is nothing to be afraid of she can sleep peacefully. I think young ones would really relate to this story and It would be an easy way for parents to discuss the nighttime scaries. The artwork was great and the sentences and rhyming were nice and short and easy for small listeners to comprehend.