Max and Sam count the room quiet

A Pocketful of Night: Five Steps to Rest

• Illustrated story preview
• Full book in production

A first look at A Pocketful of Night: Five Steps to Rest: Max and Sam count the room quiet. A tapping curtain makes Sam's familiar bedroom feel crowded with imagined dangers. Sam and Max choose a gentle plan: one low torch beam, one picture mark, then one number less. From five down to zero, every sound, shape and task becomes known. The last brave step is not making fear disappear—it is noticing that the feeling has become small enough for sleep. A warm countdown story about agency, honest feelings and a repeatable bedtime routine. This picture-book story is in production. The complete print edition is not yet available to order.