Reviews (23)

My Favorite Bedtime Story to Read to my Children!
This book is my children's fav. One of my daughter's first words was "Opus" (requesting this book night after night). To be honest it's still amusing to me after reading it 210 times. This book also helps me remember that life does not have to be "by the book".Thank you Berkeley Breathed.

Love It
I love reading this book to my kids it has fantastic illustrations and is a very clever story. My 6 year old son loves it and I recommend it for children aged 5-8+. It is one of the best childrens books I have had the pleasure of reading.

Get your Bunnie Jammies and enjoy the perfect Goodnight Book
There is something gently comforting about a well-written rhyming children's book. Margaret Wise Brown recognized that, and so did Dr. Seuss. Berkeley Breathed knows it too, and in this book he pays tribute to Ms. Brown's classic bedtime story "Goodnight Moon".

But Mr. Breathed knows about more than rhyming. He is still plugged into that part of his child brain that can imagine as big as all outdoors. He remembers when a blanket stretched across a couple of chairs could be a "fort", or when the best toy that could show up in a neighborhood was the big cardboard box that somebody's new fridge came in.

So Goodnight Opus combines those two elements - paying tribute to "Goodnight Moon" while not ridiculing it, but also inviting the reader to "leave the text" and let our imaginations run wild.

Sometimes the simplest and most gentle lessons are the best. If you've got a little one anywhere around you, ESPECIALLY if you've read them "Goodnight Moon" two hundred and ten times do both of you a favor and read them "Goodnight Opus" next.

buy it for yourself...and your kids
This was the first of Berke Breathed children's books that we purchased (we now have them all). All of his children's books are wonderful- filled with the whimsical characters we love, and uplifting messages as well.

As new parents (and not the sort to register for gifts) we recieved 5 or 6 copies of Goodnight Moon. For anyone who has read that book a million times, this one is welcome relief. That said, I bought the book for us, but, our kids love it too (as well as his other kids' books- the last basselope in particular).

All his children's books are great.
Excellent BIG picture books all with a wonderful message. I am as big of a fan as my kids are. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This tremendous trio of Margaret Wise Brown's tried-and-true board books is virtually guaranteed to delight babies and toddlers. The Runaway Bunny, illustrated by Clement Hurd, is a comforting testimony to a parent's unconditional love and protection: "'If you run away,' said his mother, 'I will run after you. For you are my little bunny.'" Goodnight Moon walks a child through a hypnotically soothing bedtime ritual of naming familiar objects in a room (and finding the little mouse that keeps popping up); and the melodic Big Red Barn, with illustrations by Felicia Bond, is a colorful foray into farm life: "By the big red barn / In the great green field, / There was a pink pig / Who was learning to squeal." In the end, the barnyard animals are all asleep, and if you're lucky, your favorite toddlers will be, too. A wonderful first-book collection. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

I wish I could give these books to every child in the world
These are the books your children will take to bed with them every night. Goodnight Moon has been my daughter's favorite bedtime book for 2 years, the one she HAS to have read to her before she can fall asleep. It must be the lyrical prose, and the illustrations that FEEL like a bedtime snuggle...this is the book I buy as a gift for every new parent.

Runaway Bunny is just beautiful, the watercolor paintings of a mother and child are fanciful and loving, and seem to come straight from a child's imagination.The theme is especially helpful for clingy children, reassuring them there will always be enough love to sustain them.

The Big Red Barn is simply the most enchanting book of farm animals I have ever seen, with lively colors and a story that intrigues my daughter so much, this is the first book she was content to sit down with and "read" all alone.

Three children's classics in board form will delight
Originally written in the 1940's, these classic children's books will still delight your baby or toddler. The youngest baby is lulled to sleep by the gentle rhymes, and will enjoy the bright colors and charming illustrations as he or she gets older."Goodnight Moon" depicts a young bunny rabbit awake in his bed as he tells all the objects and animals he can see "Goodnight". He lists everything he can see, including his mittens, some kittens, and of course the moon. Toddlers will begin to appreciate the make-believe world of "The Runaway Bunny", in which a mother bunny tells her child she will be there to keep him safe no matter where he runs to. The bright colors of "Big Red Barn" are intriguing to little ones, and will help teach the names of many animals,too. The board books are ideal for the youngest readers, as they can easily help turn the pages. It is difficult for a child younger than 2 years old to turn the paper pages of most books.These are three excellent books to add to your child's library and start the happy tradition of reading!

They don't call them classics for nothing
These three are terrific! I wanted to buy lots of classics for my baby and I was given this one. I could not have made a better choice myself. This is a great edition to my child's library.

Wonderful - Just Wonderful
These books are wonderful. I started reading them to my sons as soon as they were born. My oldest is 3 and he can "read" Goodnight Moon to me. He looks forward to finding the little bunny before his mommy does in The Runaway Bunny and knows when to make the animal sounds before I turn the page in the Big Red Barn.

This collection is a must for all kids. You won't regret buying them for the years of enjoyment that follows!

Love the trio!
Big Red Barn is a BIG HIT in my house and my daughter is only 6 months old! This is followed by Goodnight Moon. She's a little too young for The Runaway Bunny. The illustrations aren't as colorful or fun as the other two, but I know when she gets older it will also be a favorite. Definitely recommend this trio for parents! ... Read more

Book Description

"Goodnight, Max," says Max's sister Ruby. But Max can't get comfortable. First he spills a glass of water. Then there are all those itchy cookie crumbs in his bed...and the moon shining through his window. Will poor Max ever fall asleep? Rosemary Wells' beloved Max and Ruby are back in an irresistibly touchable book that is also a satisfying bedtime story. Toddlers won't be able to resist all the tactile elements--fourteen tempting things to touch, move, even smell--while a gently humorous story makes this the perfect book for bedtime, naptime, or anytime! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

You have to be a fan
I bought this book after reading all the great reviews. It is a nice book, bright colors, lots of attention to detail, silly story line, but I didn't think the areas for the child to feel were large enough. The sticky candy in Max's pajamas is just about the size of a child's fingertip, the lace curtain is just a thin slip of fabric, the lightning is a skinny zig-zag of foil and the "cookie crumbs" sandpaper is only about a quarter-inch high. There are other touch-and-feel books that provide a much larger exploratory surface. Still, this book does contain a good variety (sticky candy, rough crumbs, fur, smelly sock, etc.)I'm not sure why, but that smelly sock always seems to be such a hit!

A touch of genius by Rosemary Wells
What a joy of a book! My baby loves feeling the surprises on each page from the crumbs in Max's pockets to the gummy nightcrawlers on his feet! A sweet story with tactile turns on each page. A classic in the making, I can hardly wait for a sequel!

A splendid board book for toddlers & preschoolers.
It's time for bed, but Max can't fall asleep in this board book for toddlers who will find here a delightful bedtime dilemma. Bright pages with tactile cut-outs attract attention with touch and feel surprises as Max faces a too-long night.

Max and Ruby star in this lovely story about going to bed
My children adore Max, and this book is no exception. My three-year-old had me read it to him no less than three times in a row today. He loves to touch the lace curtain, soft blanket, and the "spilled" water. And what a sister! Everyone needs a sister like Ruby!

Any parent who's tried to get their own "Max" to bed can sympathize with Ruby, the long suffering and ever patient sibling.

What a joyful little book!

Goodnight Max
The irrepresible Max and his ever-patient sister Ruby are backonce again in this humorous yet soothing bedtime tale, complete with"touch and feel" fun.

Max is unable to fall asleep, andhis mishaps require continuous changes of his pajamas. My 3- 1/2 year old grandson, a Max fan from babyhood, especially loves the feel of the cookie crumbs in the bed and the sticky candy on the pajama feet. Peeking under the real fabric blanket is also a big hit, and the "smelly" sock is met with hillarity every time.

The format is an oversized board book, but with an expanded text and richly detailed illustrations. The designs on Max's fun-theme pajamas makes us want to own them; the silver moon is appropriately silvery, and the fly swatter is made of real netting.

Goodnight Max is a wonderful companion piece to "Goodnight, Moon" and "Bedtime for Frances". Babies would love touching the fuzzy teddy bear and Max's furry tale; older pre-schoolers can open and close the window. It's the best Max yet. ... Read more

Book Description

Monica wants the moon to play with, so her Papa sets out to get it. It isn't easy to climb to the moon, but he finally succeeds -- only to find the moon is too big to carry home. Children will love the joyful way in which this problem is solved.

Now available as a Classic Board Book edition, this delightful story literally unfolds as pages open dramatically, extending both outward and upward. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Blue moon, you see it standing alone
You hear about this sometimes. An artist becomes so famous and influential that they're eventually able to go back to some of their earlier works and (to their mind) improve them. Steven Spielberg did it with "E.T." Singer/songwriters are constantly reinventing their old classics. Eric Carle did it with "Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me". And though I usually object heartily to artistic preferences changing old classics that technically belong to the masses (ya hear that Speilberg???), in Carle's case I'm willing to make an exception. Changing a mildly interesting story into a complicated (but hearty) pseudo pop-up book, Carle has recreated his art the only way an artist should: he has made it better.

Following in the tradition of such children-asking-their-parents-for-the-moon classics as "Many Moons" (highly recommended!), in this simple story a girl asks her father to please get her that large circular piece of rock in the sky. The father complies, hauling out the longest ladder anyone has ever seen and taking it to the tallest mountain in the world. Initially depressed by the fact that the moon is (surprise!) too large to bring to his daughter, the father is eventually comforted by the moon itself. It tells the man that if he just waits for it to wax and wane, it'll become a manageable size in no time. This turns out to be the case and the little girl is delighted when the father hands her the sliver that is the moon to play with.

The book flap says that by reading this book, children will come to realize that, "even a seemingly unreachable goal can actually be attained". I dunno about that. If that's the moral of this story, then I want no part of it. No, the message I received from this tale is that a man will sometimes move heaven and earth to bring his children the things they want the most in the world. They might not always succeed, but if a man were able to get the moon for his daughter, he'd do so.

Carle's illustrations are classic Carle. I'm personally a little lukewarm on him. The pictures here are a little more swirly and paint based than his usual cut paper concoctions. The book flap mentions that for the reissue of this book Carle, "created new illustrations for his original story", so I do not know how much he has changed. If the pictures are lovely, however, they are merely a compliment to the book's real joys. Pages in this story fold out to reveal the enormity of the father's task. A single ladder, once the pages are unfolded, takes over a four page spread. And the moon itself, when at its full capacity, opens up to become larger than the book that holds it. The effect is stunning and enjoyable for those kids that love interactive pictures. Nicest of all is the durability of the paper used for these effects. I'm sure we've all seen the effects a three-year old can wreak on a pop-up book it loves. I took this book, published in 1986, from my local library and the pages STILL work just as well as the day they were made. If that's not sturdiness, I don't know what is.

Should you be scientifically inclined and you object to such notions as a moon being physically smaller when it is but a crescent, avoid this story. If, on the other hand, you enjoy a good fold out pop-up book enlivened by colorful cut-out illustrations as much as the next guy, then I highly recommend this delightful piece of lunar propaganda. It is certain to be beloved of millions of star gazing children worldwide.

another beautiful active book from Eric Carle
Author Eric Carle (The Very Lonely Firefly, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider) excels in creating books that offer children more than words on a page -- he consistently incorporates additional elements (lights, holes(!), textures) that make the books even more interesting to thirsty little minds.

In this book, a smaller portable version of the original, a girl asks her father for the moon. Fold-out pages complement Carle's unique illustrative style as we discover a looooooong ladder that reaches to the moon and back, and a magnificent four-page center spread revealing the full moon in all its glory.

This fantastic tale for young children is sure to delight parents and kids.

What a great dad!
This book is the beautiful story of a dad who goes to all lengths for his daughter - he actually gets the moon for her!
In typical "Carle fashion" this book expands (as the moon appears to do), the pages ascend ever higher (as the moon ascends in the sky). As with Carle's other stories you don't just hear them and see them - you FEEL them. I love the motion in this book. The tenderness of the gift from father to daughter and the representaion of the child's joy in playing with the moon. This story has a wonderful opening, fantastic struggle and beautiful ending. I especially enjoy how the moon itself is a character in the book.

My 19 MO daughters favorite book
Every night my daughter wants us to go outside and look for the moon. When I saw this book I knew I had to get it and she LOVES it. We change the name from "monica" to our daughters name, and when you get to the moon pop-out page she always laughs and screams and jumps. I also recommend "The night moon fell down" - another wonderful favorite.

Wonderful concept poorly implemented
I bought this book for my 11-month son who is very hard on regular books. Unfortunately, he will not get to read it until he is much older because the fold-out pages are much too flimsy for a board book.

I was very disappointed to bring it home from the store and have the page with the moon that unfolds tear just from me opening those two pages.

The book is very very pretty, I just wish it were more durable. I don't see how a child could avoid damaging it. ... Read more

Book Description

The countdown to bedtime is about to begin when a family of hamsters arrives at the front door. "All aboard," shouts the child's pet hamster, and it's off to the kitchen for a snack, to the bathroom for toothbrushing, to the bedroom for a story. And just as the child starts to read, more hamsters stream through the front door and the escapades accelerate as the countdown continues. Now in a sturdy board book format, this favorite bedtime book is ready for a younger audience. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Delightful
This book is packed with detail making it fun to "read" everytime. The illustrations are charming and you fall in love with the hamster family that starts on the tour. After reading it many times you actually start to understand the personalities of each family member.

Peggy Rathmann is talented in using few words and fun pictures to tell a story for the youngest child (18+ months) to someone a few years older who appreciates all the detail and can tell their own story by looking at the pictures.

If you are a fan of Rathmann's other books ("Good Night Gorilla" and "Officer Buckle & Gloria") you'll delight in seeing details of those stories in this book.

Even better than Good-Night Gorilla
When a friend told me that Peggy Rathman had written a book even better than Good-Night Gorilla I just had to see it. He was right.

Ten Minutes to Bedtime is a wonderful book. The main character is a young child with a pet hamster. The hamster runs the Hamster 10-Minute Bedtime Tour. Well, as the book opens we see the first of the tour arrive.

There are not many words in this story (unless you read the newspaper the father is reading), but the detail in the illustrations is superb.

I have to recommend that readers do several things. First of all, you must read the article and ads in the father's newspaper. Next, pay attention to the first family (the kids all have outfits with numbers). Look at everything in the pictures! I was very pleasantly surprised by some of the details I found going on in the pictures (my daughter was worried about the kid's slippers).

Buy it! Read it! Study it! You won't be disappointed!

Enjoyed by both a 6 year old and 2 year old!
This wonderful book can be enjoy by toddlers and "Big" Kids. My 6 year old niece loved to "read" this book to her 2 year old cousin. The two year old would pick out hamesters and the 6 year old made up stories about them. Both children had so much fun "reading" this book together. The text is very simple - the pictures tell most of the story. And what stories they can tell! Have fun exploring out the pictures with your special little (or big!) one.

*Great* book, but get the hardcover vs. the board book
My children adore this book, so we've read it many, many times. They still squeal with delight and laughter. There is so much detail, that you can't help but discover something new with each reading (keeping it entertaining for mom and dad as well as Junior). My one recommendation is that you buy the hardcover version versus the board book. We have both. The board book lacks some of the detail of the original.

What fun!
This is a really cute book, although there's not much reading involved. It's about a boy and his hamster who give a "10 Minute Bedtime Tour" to a family of hamsters. Each of the 10 little hamster children has a personality all his own, and it's great fun looking over each page to see what they are up to. (One of the hamsters is even a scrapbooker!) ... Read more

Book Description

Max was interested in helping children understand their value—not from the world’s perspective, but from God’s. Wemmicksville is a land created by Eli, the “God” figure of the story. He creates each Wemmick in Wemmicksville uniquely, each with its own look and personality. Each story and video is a new adventure with the citizens of Wemmicksville. Punchinello is the central character, along with his friends Lucia, Splint, and Chip. When Punchinello strays from Eli, he begins to have problems. Only when Punchinello stays close to Eli does he clearly see how to walk through his life in Wemmicksville.

In this board book, Punchinello learns that it's not what you have that counts, but who you are.

Reviews (7)

Would you buy poison if it came in candy wrapper?
Don't trust labels. Just because it says "Child Safe" or
"Christian" doesn't mean it is.

This is apparently a "Christian" book, however, I was
disturbed by the text near the end...when his maker points
and says, "Did I create Wemmicks to act like that."

I won't type the offending material here but I would urge
you to read this book CAREFULLY before giving it to your child.

DO NOT GIVE THIS BOOK TO SOMEONE AS A GIFT
UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE OFFENDING MATERIAL

Back to the Basics of God's Love for Everyone!
What started out as me simply reading a story for my son at the book store wound up to be me crying and barely able to finish. This story as well as You Are Special are reminders of getting back to the basics of what God has for us. The unduplicated joy of being in His ownership if we would simply allow it.

Life Is So Simple! Why Do We Make It So Difficult?
We are God's chosen people to be His own and to serve Him! We are His! Great book for those who are searching for the meaning of life and for God's love so divine. Highly recommended for children, parents, teenagers, parents of teenagers, and anyone who is experiencing emotional and spiritual brokeness. God Bless You All!

Tear-Jerker!
I was brought to tears as I read this story the first time to my daughter. She looked up at me with the sweetest face, hugged my neck, and said, "You love me." "Yes I do... very much," I replied. Max Lucado's book will help the message of love really touch the hearts of your children or grandchildren... or any child that you love -- young or old!

Reading Across America--Dr Suess's Birthday 03/01/2002
I had the pleasure this morning reading this wonderful book to my 7 year old's second grade class for Dr Suess's Birthday. Reading across America in tribute to Dr Suess is being held in every classroom today and I couldn't think of a better book to read to these children..I not only had the classroom in silence, but the teacher herself was so taken in by the beautiful Illustrations and remarkable storyline, that she has asked me to give her all the information on this and two others from Max Lucado, so she can purchase the books herself...I felt like it was a great way to bring the message of Christ's love for his children to my son's classroom and on such a special day that it will be remembered always...I recommened to anyone that has children or to those that don't have children, to purchase these books for your kids or for even yourselves, I think it targets the adult audience as well with the story it teaches..It makes us all think of how we can add this to our own lives as well as our children's..I couldn't think of a better way to give this author anymore praise for his talent, then by reading it on this special day... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Modeled after the popular Taggies baby blankets, My First Taggies Book is a soft fleece picture book with eight different looped ribbon tags to rub and pull and chew. The content of the book is very simple: three two-page spreads featuring a plush kitty, bunny, and puppy, along with accompanying rhymes. "Sweet dreams, little kitty,/ Rock-a-bye and nighty night." The point here is not the plot line, but the delightfully cuddly feel of the book and the interactive tags. Designed to be tactile and visually stimulating, each tag has a different print or texture, much like the satin edges of blankets or clothing labels that so intrigue babies and toddlers. A gentle and safe way to introduce the very youngest "readers" to the world of books. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sweet Book for Baby
This is a precious book that baby will love to read and cuddle. Sweet illustrations, simple rhymes, and those great tags that babies love to feel. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On a cold windy night, an itty-bitty mouse "pitter-pat, tip-toe,creep-crawls" into a sleeping bear's cozy lair, looking for relief from thebitter winter weather. Soon he is joined by a veritable menagerie of woodlandanimals, and the party begins. Popping corn, brewing tea, tweeting, andchatting, the critters enjoy themselves thoroughly while the bear slumbersthrough it all. Until, that is, an errant pepper flake from the simmering stewwakes him up with a giant sneeze. As the bear goes from ferocious snarls andrumbles to pitiful whimpers, his uninvited guests realize what the problem is.

You've snuck in my lair
and you've all had fun!
But me? I was sleeping
and...
I have had none!

First-time author Karma Wilson and artist Jane Chapman (illustrator of PhyllisRoot's One Duck Stuck)have created a charming little tale of sharing and caring that will have readersof all ages cheering at the humorous finale. (Ages 3 to 7) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (34)

We love this book!
My 2.5 year old son has asked me to read this book endlessly since we received it. Besides gorgeous illustrations, the story is so cute and full of wonderful onomatopoeia words like GNARL, roar, twitter, pitter-pat, etc. that make the story so much fun to read and the kids enjoy it tremendously.

Bear sleeps deeply in his den and the other animals seek shelter from the cold night. They have tea and nuts and soup, and bear wakes up to find a party going on without him! Bear is devastated, not because of the animals in his den, but because they were having fun without him. We love the illustrations and the story--can't wait to buy the other book about Bear, "Bear Wants More."

Enjoy!

My all time favorite children's book
Bear Snores On is at the very top of a long list of my favorite children's books. Every time I read it I am reminded why I love it so much. The illustrations are absolutley beautiful. The rhyming text is adorable. The story itself is the cutest. My children, 3 & 1 1/2, love this book. You can't get any better than Bears Snores On. The follow up, Bear Wants More is also very good. You will not be dissapointed with this book, I promise :)

Animal insomnia
As I am sure you know, author Karma Wilson began her illustrious picture book writing career with the charming "Bear Snores On". Since this impressive debut, Bear has gone on to appear in further Karma Wilson outings. Yet it all began here, with a tale of hibernation and a friendly hootenanny of wild animals.

A big brown bear, his teapot and other cave utensils strewn hither and yon, is hibernating in the winter. Outside it is blustery and cold but (as we are repeatedly told), "The bear/ snores/ on". One day a timid mouse enters the lair and lights himself a small fire for warmth. No reaction from the snoring bear. Soon a hare joins the mouse and they have a cup of tea. No bearish interruptions. Then there's a badger. Then a mole, and a wren, and a raven, and a gopher. In no time at all a full flown party is in swing, ending when a small fleck of pepper causes the bear to sneeze. Suddenly he's awake and he's angry, but not for the reason you'd think. No, Bear's just upset that everyone had a party without him. But soon, the animals reassure the bear that the party can definitely continue with him, and their host entertains by telling them stories far into the night. By morning everyone is fast asleep. Except (oh irony) the bear.

There's not much to the tale, honestly, but it's not the plot that's important. Ms. Wilson has an ear for delightful cadences and rhyming sequences. Just listen to the following sequence, "An itty-bitty mouse/pitter-pat, tip-toe/creep-crawls in the cave/from the fluff-cold snow". I love how that (and every other) line scans. Accompanying these deft syllables is the art of Jane Chapman. With her guidance, the walls of the cave (illuminated by a crackling fire) glow a homey auburn. Characters are both realistically rendered and adorably fuzzy. I was particularly fond of a scene from out in the blustery snow where, looking into the cave, we see the black silhouettes of the dancing creatures against the yellow glow of the fire. Color and texture are alive and well with this artist, I assure you.

"Bear Snores On" isn't the MOST memorable of picture books, but its pleasant enough. It's perfect for the child that is frightened easily (nothing bad happens, unless you count bear growling at one point) and gentle in its characterizations. All in all, a class act all around. If you need a good bedtime story to tuck the little ones in with, I highly recommend the electric boogaloo that is "Bear Snores On".

Fabulous Book
This book has been a favorite in my house from day one. Great text,the phrase Bear Snores On continues throughout the book and each time it gets a little louder and I find that children like to say it with you louder and louder each time until bear finally wakes up from a pepper flake that made him sneeze. (My son's favorite part)The illustations are beautifully done and fit the text perfectly. Definitely one of my best book buys of the year. I Highly recommend Bear Snores On.

My childrens' favorite
This is the best book in the world! My kids love the rhyming and enjoy the beautiful artwork. There's so much you can add in sound effects it's great! Highly recommended for a bedtime book, cuddle time read, etc. I also own Bear Wants More, though I don't think it quite has the same charm as this one. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a safe and soft book
I PURCHASED THIS BOOK FOR MY 8 MONTH OLD AND HE LOVES IT! ALTHOUGH HE CANNOT READ YET OBVIOUSLY, HE LOVES TO CHEW ON THIS BOOK SINCE HE IS TEETHING. HE LOVES THE LITTLE BUNNY BECAUSE HE CAN HOLD IT IN HIS HAND AND IT IS ATTACHED TO THE BOOK. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARE ON THIS ARE NOT TRUE. IT SAYS THAT IT IS NOT MACHINE WASHABLE AND I THREW IT IN THE WASHER AND IT WAS JUST FINE AS LONG AS IT IS A DELICATE CYCLE. OTHER THAN THAT IT IS SAFE AND SOFT AND MY CHILD LOVES IT. ... Read more

Book Description

Elmo promises to go to sleep--after he pats the cat and feeds the fish and hears one more story and has one more drink of water. Told with a bouncy beat that winds down to a soothing sway, this story is just perfect for bedtime!
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Super Bed time book
My daughter is a big fan of Elmo and ever since I got this book for her, my husband and I have to read it to her every night. The illustrations are good, the wording is short and to the point so they do not get bored, and most of all the pages are some what glossy and the book is a hardcover so it will last a long a time. I highly recommend this book to any Elmo lover.

I know it by heart!
This book has been out sons favortie since we bought it when he was around 9 months old (he is now 2 1/2). He askes for this particular book at least 4 out of 7 nights aweek. I am acutally at this site right now looking into buying a new copy. The binding did not hold up as well as I would have liked, but I will admitt he falls alseep with it in his bed a couple of times a night (we let him look at a book in bed after we tuck him in for the night) I would highly recommend this book to anyone who child loves Elmo. It is a really cute story and as it goes along, Elmo falls asleep, so my son likes to pretend he is Elmo and lays down on his pillow. I can not rave about it enough. There is lots to talk about as the story goes along and there is even a section where you can count sheep (my sons favorite part)! I recommend this story to everyone! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (11)

A good get-ready-to-sleep book
Sleepy Bears is a predictable story about Mother Bear and her six bear children getting into bed to hibernate for the winter. Mother Bear says goodnight to each of her cubs and suggests what she thinks each of them will dream about.

Kerry Argent has beautifully illustrated the bears so that they look fuzzy enough to touch. The textured artwork of the "real" world is different from that of the dreams. The scenery and objects illustrated in the bear cubs' dreams is flatter looking, with little shading or color gradient.

Argent has included a blue stuffed elephant in each non-dream illustration. It is on the title page, and then is held by one or another of the bear cubs throughout the book until the final page. Once everyone has fallen asleep, the stuffed elephant blows out the candle. This book is a perfect read-before-bed story, with it's peaceful illustrations and repetition of the line "Now who's the sleepiest? Who will be next?"

Mem Fox may be Australian, but, with the exception of one word, the reader would never know this from reading Sleepy Bears. Only the use of the word "ices" to refer to a treat akin to snow cones indicates that the author is not an American.

Sweet dreams!
I purchased this book because I love Mem Fox's stories. My daughter wanted the book because she has a love for teddy bears. She is 3. I wanted to get her a nice story of a bear for bedtime. I hit the jackpot! I read the book and realized that this mother bear is not struggling with a bedtime routine to get the kids into bed. I also realized that the kids are not denying the fact that they are tired. We can all learn from this mother bear that to tell a story with the kids in it as the star is better than anything! It is a wonderful way to get kids and parents to use their imaginations to send them to a place for sweet dreams. This is a winner of a book and my daughter is going to love it!

Wonderful Book
My kids just love it. My 3 year old calls it "The Cub Bears" book. He ask for it every night for story time. My 22 month old cries when it ends and so we must read it again and again until they fall asleep. Love it!

Works every time...like gluing bricks to a child's eyelids!
This is such a sweet little book, and I have found that it is the ONLY book we own that actually makes my daughter fall alseep DURING her bedtime story! The rhymes are so soft and soothing and she simply cannot keep her eyes open! I she always completely zonks at the end and I end up reading the last page 4-5 more times to insure that she's really out. Please know that my child never falls asleep like this...this book is magic! Oh, and the pictures are beautiful, colorful and interesting. Highly reccomended!

Good Bedtime Story
My son who is 4 years old, loves this book to be read to him at night. It lets him have a good night sleep and he imagines what the bears are dreaming and he even thinks up stories to add himself. ... Read more

Book Description

Millions of children have been lulled to sleep by this classic bedtime tale. Now paired with a cuddly plush bunny, it is the perfect way to say "goodnight."

Book Description

Reviews (2)

I know where the Green Sheep is!
The kids at storytime really like this book. It is always fun, because they are so proud that they know where the Green Sheep is after the first read. They respond in unison everytime the text reads, "but where is the green sheep?" The illustrations are so cute you'll want to keep looking for the green sheep too!

A delightful and sweet storybook!
I picked this up and have to say it is a beautiful piece. My 6 year old daughter picked it up and sat down and read it to me in awe at the brightly colored pictures and very excited to find out where the green sheep was! She enjoyed the opposites and the simple words that were easy for her to sound out and pick up on. It is now her favorite book!

It is a very good book for small children and it goes quickly and can definitely spark some learning experience with all of the opposites. Very nice bedtime story! ... Read more

Book Description

There is no night so dark, so black as night in the country. And while the people dream of daytime things, the nighttime world awakens. Owls swoop, a rabbit patters, and in the yard an apple falls -- pump! -- from the tree.

Listen. Go to the window. Across the field a light glows. Who else is up so late? Who else watches and hears the sights and sounds of night in the country -- the many stirrings of silence, the many colors of the dark?

Lyrical text and velvety pictures present a very different kind of nighttime: a mysterious, moving night that will lull small children to sleep. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

From One Who Knows
I bought this title for Grandma to read to her Grandkids and decided to keep it for our home. This is an excellent portrait of what life really is like in the country: the blackness, the soft sounds, the swooping owl. A great find for parents to read to kids to follow up on a visit to a relative in the country.

Author paints picturesque Appalachian landscape
As in her book, "When I Was Young in the Mountains," Cynthia Rylant's "Night in the Country" paints a picturesque landscape of Appalachia. Warm country nights, cool breezes, fireflies and other common sights highlight this book. The art is beautifully calming. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Lovin it in Florida
My 3 year old daughter loves this book. It is cute and quick and very very funny. She sometimes doesn't like going to bed just like Lola and so she really thinks this book is funny.

My kids can't stop asking for it
My 2 and 4 year old love this book and they want me to read it over and over again. They love the pictures and the story and just everything about it. The 2-year-old loves the imaginary tigers, which always seem to bother him when he want to go to bed too.

hip design, fun book
My daughter is 2 1/2 and this book is her favorite. The design is very colorful and interesting, and the dialogue between the characters, Lola and her brother Charlie, is the way real kids talk. Lola doesn't want to go to bed, and it is Charlie's job to get her there. Lola has quite an imagination and Charlie must give bedtime drinks to imaginary tigers, shoo a whale down the drain before Lola can bathe, etc. This book is great for toddlers. Lauren Child's Clarice Bean books are for older kids, but my daughter also loves those too, as does my six year old niece. The best are Clarice Bean, That's Me, and What Planet are you from, Clarice Bean?

FUNNY, BEAUTIFUL PICTURES, PERFECT FOR AGE
My four-year old daughter and I love this book. The strawberry milk in the "barbie-like" cup, the toothpaste, the pajama's - illustrated just for a little girl - all things my daughter loves. Lola's wild imagination and her silliness is so delightful to read at the end of the day. We love it so much we want to share with friends and are buying for birthday gifts.

I Am Not Sleepy...
This is the greatest book to read at bedtime. My daughter loves it. It is colorful and funny, a must have additon to your child's library. ... Read more

Book Description

Three little dragons in a far-off cave can't sleep. Someone needs to tuck them in! Luckily a Good Knight keeps watch and hears their lonely ROAR. The Good Knight (because he is a good knight) helps by bringing glasses of water, reading stories, singing songs, and dispensing kisses in multiple trips down his tower and through the dark forest.

Young readers will fall in love with the agreeable Good Knight and the dragons with their sweet but repetitive requests. The repetition--though it tires the Good Knight--will help beginning readers build confidence. With pictures by Jennifer Plecas, whose unforgettably adorable dragons will win every heart, Good Night, Good Knight is sure to become a new bedtime classic. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent!
We've been reading this book just about every night for 6 months now. My kids(aged 3 and 5)are busily galloping around on their stick horses while shouting "away!"; climbing crumbly-tumbly towers, and hiding in deep, dark caves. Get ready--for three months I had to build deep dark caves for my little dragons to sleep in.

And there's a sequel--"Get Well, Good Knight"! My kids love that one, too!

I like the books, as well. Any parent can sympathize with the Good Knight's situation. All in all, this is a good read for the pre-k/k set.

Good Night, Good Knight
Our library just purchased this book and after just one read I am ready to purchase it. Very easy reading and extremely entertaining (esp. if you let the kids fill in the repetitive parts). My 3 and 5 year olds love it.

A Must have!
I checked this book out at the library for my pre-school daughter. We both absolutely loved it. Loved it so much, that I placed an order with Amazon to purchase our own copy at home. The author does a wonderful job of repeating phrases and words such as "clippety-clop" and the "crumbly tumbly tower". The 3 dragons in the story are the cutest little things, all wanting something before they can go to bed....one more drink of water, one more story read, etc. Sound familiar?
Amazon lists this book as Ages 9-12, which has to be inaccurate. This is an Easy Reader type book designed for Preschool to second grade in my opinion.

Clever and Heart-Warming Story for All Ages
I read this book to my two-year-old in a doctor's office and ended up retelling the whole story to my husband that evening. We had to buy it we liked it so much, and we've read it over and over. It has great repetition and sound effects (my son loves to roar every time we get to that part). I also love the way it teaches children to be kind to others, even something that might seem scary like a dragon. It gave my parent ego a little boost too, since I'm often that "good knight" who's willing to get one last drink of water, read one last story, or give one last good night kiss. Definitely a must-read.

A charming bedtime story
A sweet bedtime story with charming illustrations. The story has a lot of repetition and good opportunities to add fun sound effects making it lots of fun to read (over and over again!).

My two year old loves to listen to the story (even though it is more words than his typical picture books). I suspect this book is appealing to 2+ through 6 year olds. ... Read more

Book Description

"These figs are very special," the woman whispered. "They can make your dreams come true." -- Thus Monsieur Bibot, the cold-hearted dentist, was given two ordinary-looking figs as payment for extracting a tooth from an old woman's mouth. Monsieur Bibot refused to believe such nonsense and proceeded to eat one of the figs for a bedtime snack. Although it was possibly the finest, sweetest fig he had ever tasted, it wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed had the power to make his dreams come true. While dragging his poor dog, Marcel, out for his walk, he discovered that his strange dream from the night before was becoming all too real. Determined to make good use of the second fig, Monsieur Bibot learns to control is dreams. But can he control Marcel? Once again Chris Van Allsburg explores the mysterious territory between fantasy and reality in an uncanny tale that will intrigue readers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Sweetest Fig
The Sweetest Fig story takes place in Paris, France. Monsiur Bibot, the coldhearted dentist, helped a patient who had a toothache. After Bibot helped her, all she could pay him with were two magical figs. In disbelief, Bibot took the figs and shoved her out of his office. When Bibot went home, he decided to eat one of the figs as an evening snack. It was the seetest fig Bibot had ever tasted, it just wasn't until the next morning that Monsieur Bibot realized it indeed was so magical that it had the power to make your dreams come true.

Another great book
Another great book by Chris Van Allsburg. I do an author study with my second graders and they particuarly love this book. They to hear it read with a bit of a French accent. The children have great empathy for poor Marcel and really appreciate when he triumphs over the self-absorbed Bibot. This book is in much demand in my classroom aftet it has been introduced as a read aloud.

the sweetest fig for ms voorhees book report assignment
Monseuir Bigot. A dentist, a picky snooty stuck up dentist, to be precise. He lives simply, with his small terrier who is not even allowed to bark, and his profession. One day as he is sitting in his office, an old woman comes into his building with a horrid toothache, she has no appointment, but he decides he could use a few extra francs. (he lives in france)He pulls her tooth out, and when he asks for payment, she hands him two figs, and says that they will make his dreams come true. he sends her from his office, and goes home. Later that night he has one of the figs, as a dinnertime snack. When he wakes up he finds that his dream had come true that he had dreamt the night before. He then hynotizes himself for weeks so he can control his dreams, the night he plans to eat the fig and become rich and famous, his dog eats the fig. he wakes up the next morning under his bed... bieng told to go for a walk...

Chris van alsburg has the best ironic childrens books. I really enjoyed how this one played out. The illustrations are as good as you would expect from a van alsburg book, especially well done are the peoples facial expressions.This is a book i would definately recomend to a friend, not nessesarily a younger reader but preferably someone who can read fairly well, its somewhere in between a chapter book and an easy reader.

What if... When You Slept, Your Dreams Came True?
Chris Van Allsburg's book, THE SWEETEST FIG, is an exquisitely illustrated book that raises the fascinating question, "What if... when you slept, your dreams came true?"

This story tells the tale of a mean-spirited dentist, Monsieur Bibot, who lives in Paris, France, with only his small, white dog for a companion. When Bibot receives as payment two small figs from an old woman who can't afford to pay him for his dental services, he is furious. The woman tells Bibot that these figs are special... "they can make your dreams come true." Dreams are clearly something that Bibot cares little for... that is, until he discovers that the old woman was telling him the truth. When he finds himself standing outside a restaurant dressed only in his underwear, and the Eiffel Tower bending down as if it were made of rubber -- he rushes home and begins practicing the art of controlling his dreams. Bibot's attempt to overly-control his life takes a surprising turn, and this story vividly illustrates the point that greed and self-absorption can ruin a man's life.

Because the artwork in this book is so exceptionally good and the moral of the story is so delightful, this is one book that parents will love to read to their children again and again!

Great Story, Magnificent Illustrations, & a Surprise Ending
What more could you ask for? The Sweetest Fig is the story of French Dentist named Bibot who is given two seemingly ordinary figs as payment for dental services rendered. The old woman who gives Bibot the figs tells him that the figs can "make your dreams come true." As the story progresses, it keeps the audiences attention easily. Most of the classes I have read this to (3rd & 4th Grade) seem to think the results of Bibot's first dream are hilarious and are eager to hear the outcome. The ending is rather abrupt but satisfying where Bibot gets his just rewards. Overall, Van Allsburg does a magnificent job (as always) both authoring and illustrating this intriguing tale. Highly recommended for 3rd and 4th grade students. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A favorite story en Francais!
This is the French version of the popular "Goodnight Moon." Iwas looking all over for some simple French storybooks to read to my baby (now 12 months) and was delighted to find this book we are already familiar with. I haven't used my French much since college, but I would like for my baby to learn the language at a young age. I have purchased other French children's books on-line but found they were for older children (those who won't be flipping the pages every 5 words) and required a French dictionary nearby for my limited vocabulary. Since I have pretty much memorized the English-version "Goodnight Moon" and so has he, this is a good one for us to start out with. ... Read more