Children’s author tackles fear of darkness

Self-published book helps youngsters deal with fear

Joan Cronk

Special to the Gateway

Catherine Markl is somewhat famous for what she refers to as her “dreaded Christmas poem.” Friends and family have come to expect it to arrive faithfully every Christmas season, and when she says she’s done and threatens to quit, her loyal fans rise up and say she must continue.

“Most of them love me because we’re related,” said Markl, whose pen name, Cee Cee, was given to her by her grandchildren.

Markl grew up loving poems, writing them and reading them. About 10 years ago, Sherman, a lovable little sheep, was born.

“I was playing with the computer and wrote ‘Sherman Understands Darkness,’ ” said Markl, who admits she was afraid of the dark when she was a child.

Sherman came from a stuffed sheep she stitched for her son more than 35 years ago.

“Sherman Understands Darkness” lay in wait for years, until Markl’s 2 1/2-year-old triplet grandchildren became afraid of the dark.

“You don’t want to introduce the book to a child who is not afraid of darkness,” said Markl, who didn’t want to create a fear that didn’t exist.

Markl said she waited until the children experienced those feelings before she brought “Sherman Understands Darkness” to life.

“The book was a winner, and a star was born,” Markl said. “When I pulled Sherman out, he started soothing the anxieties of my adorable grandchildren.”

The triplets, or “trips,” as Markl lovingly calls them, are now 4 and can recite the entire book from memory. But her grandson, who is 17 months old, isn’t quite ready for Sherman’s message, she said.

The triplets have helped Markl come up with ideas for other books, as well, including “Sherman Understands Courtesy,” “Sherman Understands Boredom,” “Sherman Understands Health and Safety” and “Sherman Understands Emotions.” Those books are just behind the curtain, waiting to be published.

Markl sees the Sherman series of books as helping children navigate the sometimes rough waters of childhood.

“My goal,” she said, “is to help children learn important life lessons in a fun, interactive way.”

The Sherman books contain many subtle messages for children and offer opportunities for them to learn.

Now when the triplets experience a fear, they recite parts of the Sherman book and tell Markl, “Oh, yeah, we just tell bad things to go away.”

“Sherman Understands Darkness” has been self-published and currently is available at the Keeping Room in downtown Gig Harbor and at Harbor Mercantile.

She said she appreciates the minds of children and their willingness to gather all kinds of information.

“It is like a clean slate,” she said.

The Sherman books contain all-original poetry, and Markl illustrated them using her computer. She and her husband, a pilot, relocated to Gig Harbor nine years ago and said they enjoy the quaint, homey feel and friendly people they’ve met.

Markl is now retired from her job as a teacher and a job within corporate America. She’s available to sign and read “Sherman Understands Darkness” and can be reached via e-mail at cee.cee@comcast.net. She plans for the other four Sherman books to be published soon.

“I am so proud of my little Sherman,” she said. “He really is a great teacher.”