What parent hasn’t experienced a child who didn’t want to go to bed? Charlie Can’t Sleep! by Rachel Joy Welcher addresses this problem with Charlie who is afraid of the dark.

Charlie loves waking up in the morning and hearing sounds he recognizes, but nighttime is another story, and he comes up with many excuses to stay up as long as possible. When the lights go out at night, he worries about every sound he hears and imagines all the scary things they might be.

Mom and Dad are patient with Charlie as he breaks down into a hearty cry. They read Psalm 121 with him and Charlie learns that God is always awake and watching over him. Charlie prays his worries away and falls to sleep.

The story unfolds naturally through the eyes and understanding of young Charlie, and will capture the attention of a child who suffers from the fear of the dark. The illustrations by Breezy Brookshire are engaging and have just the right sleepy-time appeal to complement the text.

Charlie Can’t Sleep! is published by InterVarsity Press, and will release on October 7, 2025.

Post written by Janice D. Green

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