The Dark Is Just Shy

Bedtime story · Ages 3-7

The Dark Is Just Shy begins at lights-out, when five-year-old Leo is sure that something is living in the darkest corner of his room. He is right — but it turns out to be Comemiedos, a small turquoise fear-eater who is a little embarrassed, because he has fallen behind on his work of nibbling worries away.

Instead of hiding, Leo and his fuzzy new friend inspect the scary things one at a time. The tall shape by the door is only Leo’s coat, the sudden creak is the radiator cooling after a long day, and the shadow on the wall becomes a dancing bunny made with two small hands. For every fear they check, Comemiedos takes a happy chomp and grows a little rounder and sleepier.

It is an ideal read-aloud for children between 3 and 7 who feel uneasy at bedtime, and a warm, funny choice for the classroom calm corner or as a gift for a little one who is learning that the dark is not empty — just shy.

A bedtime story that meets fear with curiosity

In The Dark Is Just Shy, bedtime is the hardest part of Leo’s day. The darkest corner of his room always seems to be hiding something, and one night it really is: Comemiedos, a small turquoise fear-eater whose whole job is to nibble worries away. There is just one problem — he is a bit behind on his work, and more than a little embarrassed about it.

Rather than running, Leo and his fuzzy visitor decide to look closely at each scary thing, one at a time. What they discover, again and again, is that most night-time monsters are ordinary objects wearing a costume of shadows.

What children take away from Leo’s night

Under the gentle humor, the story hands young readers a simple, repeatable tool for the dark: look, name it, and watch the fear shrink. It is the idea at the very heart of the book — that looking closely at a fear can turn it into something familiar, funny, and small.

• Fears get smaller when you check them. The tall “monster” by the door is really Leo’s coat, sleeves and all.
• Strange sounds have friendly explanations. The midnight creak is only the radiator stretching after a long day.
• You can play with shadows. A shape on the wall becomes a dancing bunny made with two hands and a lamp.
• Bravery can be quiet. By the end, Leo reaches for the light switch all by himself.

Imagine this story with your child as the hero

Now picture the very same adventure, but the brave five-year-old checking the shadows has your child’s name and face. With CuentosIA you can turn The Dark Is Just Shy into a personalized story where your son or daughter is the one teaming up with Comemiedos to tame the monsters in their own room.

It is a reassuring idea for a little one going through a scared-of-the-dark phase, because the hero who bravely turns off the light at the end looks exactly like them.

How to create your own personalized story

1. Upload a photo of your child so the main character looks just like them.
2. Choose the art style and the details you love, from the setting to your child’s name.
3. In minutes, read it online, download the PDF, or order a printed hardcover book.

A reassuring gift for bedtime

A personalized copy of this tale makes a thoughtful present for birthdays, a new sibling, or any child learning to sleep with the light off. It pairs a genuinely funny little monster with a calm, screen-free bedtime ritual that parents can return to night after night.

Good night, fear-eater.

Is this story suitable for a child who is afraid of the dark?

Yes. There are no real threats and no jump-scares. Every “monster” turns out to be an ordinary object, and the tone stays warm and funny throughout, which makes it a gentle bedtime read for ages 3 to 7.

How long does it take to read?

It is a short mini-story of seven illustrated scenes, just right for a single calm reading before lights-out.

Looking for another one to read tonight? Browse our afraid of the dark stories for more free illustrated tales.