When the dark feels scary
A short cartoon about a big shadow, with your child as the hero. Watch it together earlier in the evening, never in bed.
An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.
Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.
Let's imagine
Example, made with AI
Mia (6) is in her room one evening. A tall shadow with a long neck stands on the wall. "That looks big," she says. "I'm a little scared." Her mom sits beside her. "Let's find out where it comes from." They switch on the small lamp. Mia moves her toy giraffe, and the shadow moves too. The lamp stays on. Mom stays close.
The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.
What happens in the story
In the example above:
- Mia says how she feels, in plain words: a little scared.
- A caring grown-up sits close and stays calm.
- They look together, one small step at a time.
- The lamp stays on. The story ends with Mom close by.
Talk-after card
Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.
- What did Mia see on the wall?
- What helped Mia find out about the shadow?
- Where do you like the light in your room? You can tell me or show me.
Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.
What a cartoon can and can't do
- Not for watching in bed or just before sleep. Health guidance suggests turning screens off an hour before bedtime.
- Fears are common. If fear keeps stopping your child from sleeping or doing everyday things, talk to your child's doctor.
- Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
- If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behavior, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.
What research says
Night-time fears are very common: in one study of 176 children aged 4 to 12, about 7 in 10 reported them. [15]
- [15]Muris P, Merckelbach H, Ollendick TH, King NJ, Bogie N. Children's nighttime fears: parent-child ratings of frequency, content, origins, coping behaviors and severity. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 2001;39(1):13–28. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(99)00155-2
Zubby is a family storytelling tool, not a medical, therapeutic or educational treatment. Zubby cartoons have not been tested in studies.