禁止黑暗的國王 The King Who Banned the Dark

　　從前從前，有一個怕黑的小男孩。
　　這一點都不稀奇，因為大部分的小孩都曾經怕黑。
　　不過這個小男孩是一位王子。
　　他決定當他成為國王的時候，要想辦法對付黑暗。

　　他打算禁止黑暗。

　　他們安裝一個巨大的人造太陽，確保黑暗永遠不會出現，
　　家家戶戶的電燈24小時也不可以關閉。
　　這聽起來很棒，人們不用再害怕黑暗中任何可怕的事物。
　　但是從此以後，人們要一直生活在永無止境的白天嗎……？

　　這是一個關於黑暗的現代童話故事，關於如何克服恐懼，並進一步做出改變。這個具有啟發性的故事也談及權力和群眾運動，讓我們明白──少了黑暗，我們也無法珍視光明。

書籍特色    

＊用不同的角度看事情，陪你克服恐懼
　　每個人或多或少都有害怕或討厭的事物，可能是作業、考試或是青椒、苦瓜……你是否也曾經希望這些討厭的東西通通消失呢？但是，讀完這本書你會發現，其實每樣事物都有它們存在的必要與價值，只要換個角度看看，或許也會有意外的驚喜唷。

＊大膽的用色塑造強烈的視覺印象
　　作者用簡單的黑、白、黃三色，營造黑夜與白天的強烈對比，大膽的用色與構圖，讓畫面充滿張力，同時也非常吸引人。搭配上拙趣的手繪線條，表現出幽默趣味的一面，讓畫面增添許多細節與可看性，營造更多的想像空間。

＊公民教育的小小啟蒙繪本
　　這個國家發生的故事，可能也曾經出現在你我的身邊。這本充滿現代感的寓言童話，很適合親子一起共讀，陪伴小讀者共同思考與討論，如果你不同意或不滿意上位者的決定時，我們可以如何運用智慧，透過群眾運動的力量做出改變呢？

得獎資訊

　　★ 2020年英國凱特格林威大獎提名
　　★ 入圍2019英國水石童書繪本大獎
　　★ 入圍2019年英國「佛魯格繪本獎」(Klaus Flugge Prize)
　　★ 入圍2019年英國獨立書店評選繪本大獎
　　……等九項圖畫書獎項入圍。

海外好評

　　「才華洋溢的作家兼插畫家愛蜜莉．哈沃斯－布斯，只用了三種顏色來描繪這本充滿恐懼和希望的圖畫書，即使燈重新打開之後，這個故事的寓意也會長久陪伴著你。」──《哈芬登郵報》

　　「一個迷人的現代寓言。」──英國《Absolutely Mama》雜誌

　　「這個現代寓言的美麗之處，不僅在於愛蜜莉．哈沃斯－布斯創作的黑、白、黃三色藝術品，還包括故事的多個層面。書中有一個明顯的主題是對黑暗的恐懼，但它也傳遞了一個關於權力、革命、平衡以及生活中明暗平衡的微妙資訊。」」──「Books with Baby」部落格評論

　　「一個聰明、引人入勝的故事，可以提醒讀者去思考夜晚在我們生活中的重要性，以及如何使用、濫用或抵制權力。」──英國「Love my Books」網站評論
 
 　　——中文書介摘錄自《禁止黑暗的國王》，維京出版

　　A truly delightful new picture book talent brings us a sweet fairy tale, in charming, retro black-and-yellow drawings…' The Sunday Times An illuminating tale of power, rebellion, darkness and light. Shortlisted for the Waterstones' Children's Book Prize 2019, Klaus Flugge Prize 2019 and Independent Bookshop Week Awards 2019 There was once a little boy who was afraid of the dark. There's nothing unusual about that. Most children are afraid of the dark at one time of another. But this little boy was a Prince, and he decided that when he became King, he would do something about the dark. He would ban it. When a King bans the dark completely, installing an artificial sun, and enforcing "anti-dark" laws, it seems like a good idea. The citizens don't need to worry about monsters, crime, or any of the other scary things that might live in the dark. But what happens when nobody can sleep, and the citizens revolt? Will the King face his fears and turn the lights off? The King Who Banned the Dark is a beautiful story about how we need the dark in order to enjoy the light.

　　Review
　　'A powerful modern fable, The King who banned the dark is sure to become a classic, which, with its political undertones, will be read, shared and loved on many levels'

　　-- It's All About Stories

　　'A timeless tale of courage, consequences and unexpected wonder with quirky, lively illustrations. An illuminating tale of power, rebellion, darkness and light'

　　-- Children's Books Ireland

　　'The illustrations and words by Emily Haworth-Booth are exquisite and it isn’t a surprise it has been nominated for so many prizes. This is a really clever, imaginative and nuanced book that you will definitely be able to use across the primary age range'

　　-- The Values Bookshelf

　　'This is sophisticated and compelling storytelling about the machinations of politics and manipulating the populace … The illustrations provide a feast for the eyes complementing the story with comical and delightful touches'

　　― Armadillo Magazine

　　'What’s beautiful about this modern fable is not just the atmospheric black, white and yellow artwork by Emily Haworth-Booth, but the many levels at which the story operates. There’s the obvious topic of a fear of the dark, but it also sends a subtle message about power, revolution and the balance and light and shade in life.'

　　― Books with Baby

　　'Definitely a book 'de nos jours!'

　　-- Ann Lazim ― Centre for Literacy in Primary Education

　　'A beautifully illustrated fable for our times'

　　― Daily Express

　　'It’s not often that you get a children’s picture book that perfectly sums up prevailing social and political attitudes, how power works to corrupt, and how easy it is to get worked up over nothing. This is a brilliant book, which does not need to be read as political satire'

　　― Early Years Educator Magazine

　　'A timeless tale of courage, consequences and unexpected wonder with quirky, lively illustrations'

　　― INIS 2018-19 Reading Guide

　　'A really thought-provoking book with clever use of colour'

　　― Toppsta Reading Record

　　'This is a gorgeous picture book and its only possible downside is that your kids, like mine, might start banning things willy-nilly'

　　-- Robyn Wilder ― The Pool

　　'A truly ingenious and unique tale on the manipulation of power, revolution and how we need the dark to appreciate the light'

　　― The Little Book Society

　　'A thought-provoking picture book … Haworth-Booth’s pencil-shaded artwork is pleasing, while her text warns gently but firmly against responding too readily to fear'

　　-- Imogen Russell Williams ― The Guardian

　　'An engaging read for young readers …The predominantly yellow, black and white colour palette is perfect for spotlighting the messages of the story, whether literal or figurative, and given the depth of the story, one that spans many age groups'

　　― The Bottom Shelf

　　'A truly delightful new picture book talent brings us a sweet fairy tale, in charming, retro black-and-yellow drawings…'

　　-- Nicolette Jones ― Sunday Times

　　'A modern fairy-tale, akin to The Emperor's New Clothes, told with sophistication and paired with extraordinary beautiful illustrations in monotones, juxtaposed with vibrant yellow'

　　― Space on the Bookshelf

　　'Talented writer-illustrator Emily Haworth-Booth uses just three colours to paint this powerful picture of fear and hope, and the moral of the story will stay with you long after the lights get switched back on'

　　-- Nancy Groves ― HuffPost UK

　　'A clever and beautiful story'

　　― Parents in Touch

　　'An up-to-the-minute picture book that deals with an age-old fear in a very modern way'

　　― Minerva Reads

　　'A clever, engaging story which encourages readers to think about the importance of nighttime in our lives and also how power might be used, abused or resisted.'

　　― Love my Books

　　'A witty picture-book with a lot of contemporary relevance, which skewers government propaganda and the misuse of power'

　　― Little Rebels Children’s Book Award

　　'This book works on two levels: first of all, as a great story, and secondly, as an interesting modern fable'

　　― Juno Magazine

　　'A charming modern fable'

　　― Absolutely Mama

　　'This debut is wonderfully political thought-provoking…A brilliant story of the abuse of power the strength of protest. Perfect for schools'

　　― Rhino Reads

　　'A truly fresh and formidable debut by Emily Haworth-Booth. This is an outstanding first offering from the multi-faceted author/illustrator, undoubtedly a new name to keep an eye on'

　　― Picture Books Blogger

Emily Haworth-Booth is an award-winning author, illustrator and educator who teaches at the Royal Drawing School in London, England. Alongside her children's picture books, Emily is currently working on a long-form graphic memoir for adults. Her short comics have previously appeared in print in the Observer and Vogue. Along with her sister, Alice Haworth-Booth, she is an activist with Extinction Rebellion.