Disney character nightlights will chase away the gloom

When the SoftPal sits in its charger, you just have to  press the button on the base to start charging. It will turn off automatically when it’s finished.

Your kids won’t be afraid of monsters in the closet or under the bed with a light-up Mike or Sully protecting them.

The Monsters Inc. characters are part of a new line of SoftPal portable lights designed for kids by Philips. The cuddly lights charge on an induction base and can be removed and turned on just by tilting them. Because the lights are LED, SoftPals stay cool to the touch.

The line launched with Mickey, Minnie, Mike and Sully, but you can expect to see Elsa, Anna and Olaf from “Frozen” as well as Spider-Man and other characters coming soon.

You should not have to pay more than $30 for this product, so shop carefully. On Amazon.com you’ll find sellers listing SoftPals at well over $100, but you can find the same products at ToysRUs.com for under $30. (Another listing may get your hopes up about Olaf, but if you look carefully, it tells you to expect shipping in “1 to 4 months.”)

SoftPals can be taken to bed or carried around. They are soft and stay cool to the touch.