Don’t be afraid

A mother takes her child by the hand to explore the wonders of the universe. Together, they discover that things that cause fear are often just things that cause great wonder.

In this poetic  picture book, a mother speaks directly to her child, taking them by the hand through the mysteries of the world. “Don’t be afraid” she whispers, explaining that the things that scare us are often just things that are immensely beautiful. Her voice acts as a protective shield, turning the dark of the night and the vastness of the stars into a welcoming landscape. Daniela Tieni’s symbolic imagery perfectly captures this quiet strength, showing how a parent’s presence turns a moment of hesitation into a brave discovery of life’s magic.

Key Selling Points:

– Reassuring maternal presence: a text that embrace the reader like a warm blanket, offering safety in the face of the unknown.
– Awe over anxiety: the text reinterprets frightening elements of nature—the dark, the wind, the heights—as magnificent spectacles.
– Nurturing perspective: a gentle way to help children process the intensity of their emotions when they encounter something larger than themselves.
– Intricate graphic style: Daniela Tieni’s poetic art uses soft textures and surreal metaphors to illustrate the invisible protection of a mother’s words.

Author & Illustator:

Guia Risari
A versatile, internationally renowned author. As an author who writes and publishes in four languages, she brings a unique cross-cultural perspective that resonates with global audiences.

Daniela Tieni
Daniela Tieni is a graduate of Scenography and Art Therapy. Her work has been selected multiple times for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Bratislava Illustration Biennial, and Illustrarte (Portugal). Through a sophisticated palette and a poetic use of space, she explores the subtle boundaries between reality and imagination.