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Clark the Shark: Afraid of the Dark

by Bruce Hale

Part of the Clark the Shark series

Subject
Social Themes - New Experience
Age
3-5 years
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Publisher
HarperCollins
Size
24.9 cm × 26.2 cm
ISBN
9780062374509

Children’s Choice Book Award Finalist

Clark the Shark is ready for his first big sleepover! He’s nervous about sleeping outside without his glow-fish night-light, but he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s just a teeny-tiny bit afraid of the dark. So Clark makes up a rhyme to help him stay cool: “Take heart, be smart, sharks aren’t afraid of the dark.”

But when the sun sets and his friends begin telling spooky stories, Clark’s voice sounds quiet and small and not brave at all. In this empowering tale about conquering nighttime fears, Clark the Shark learns how friendship can help light the way through the dark.

Featuring bright, colorful artwork from Guy Francis and hilarious read-aloud text from Bruce Hale, this Clark the Shark picture book is the perfect story for kids braving nighttime jitters!

About the creators

Bruce HaleAuthor

Bruce Hale has written and/or illustrated over sixty books for kids and is the author of the Clark the Shark series; the award-winning Chet Gecko Mysteries series; Snoring Beauty, one of Oprah’s Recommended Reads for Kids; and the School for S.P.I.E.S. series. In his free time, Bruce enjoys hiking, watching movies, and making music. He lives in Santa Barbara, California, with his wife, dog, and many hats. You can catch him online at brucehale.com.

Guy FrancisIllustrator

Guy Francis spends most of his time drawing, painting, and drawing some more. He has done a variety of illustration work in the children’s market, including editorial and educational illustration, chapter books, and picture books. He freelances from his home in Provo, Utah, where his wife and four children are his own personal art critics and bring a healthy bit of chaos to the studio. Every now and then he gets out of the house and heads to the mountains with his family. You can visit him online at www.guyfrancis.com.

Data provided by BiblioShare.

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What reviewers said

“Francis’s bubbly illustrations of overeager Clark and his friends create a lively undersea environment, and similarly rowdy kids may find Clark’s rhyming technique a useful tool.”
Publishers Weekly
“Most especially, enthusiastic kids will appreciate the message that there is a time and a place for everything-they needn’t stay cool ‘round the clock.”
Kirkus Reviews
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© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.