Smudge and the Moonlight

A comforting nighttime adventure about finding magic and courage in the dark

by Jerry Douglas

Smudge is a tiny, playful shadow who loves sunny afternoons. When he is attached to his favorite boy, Theo, Smudge feels brave, bold, and ten feet tall. But whenever twilight falls, a big worry creeps in. As the golden sunlight fades, Smudge vanishes, terrified that the creeping night will swallow him whole. Determined to stay awake and visible, Smudge goes on a hilarious quest to catch any glow he can find—scampering under flickering streetlamps, lingering beneath night-lights, and basking in the hum of an open refrigerator. Seeing his little shadow friend tremble, Theo steps outside into the quiet backyard and takes Smudge by the hand. Looking up at the shimmering stars and a silver moon, Smudge makes a magical discovery: the night is not a place where things disappear, but a gentle canvas that helps our light shine brighter than ever. Smudge and the Moonlight is a whimsical, heartwarming bedtime story crafted to soothe night fears and remind young dreamers of the gentle magic waiting in the quiet dark.

• Children's Picture Books
• Bedtime
• Social & Emotional
• Story & Adventure