33. Runaway Blanket

   

33. Board book: Runaway Blanket. Nancy Deas. 2025. 22 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, board book, bedtime book]

First sentence: Outside the moon is rising, and the world is growing still. Mama says, "It's time for bed." "I can't!" I say. "Too bad--my blanket ran away! I saw it scrambling down the stairs." Mama doesn't believe me. She just puts her hands on her hips.

Premise/plot: Is the young child in Runaway Blanket telling flim-flams?! Maybe. Maybe not. He finds excuses--all pointing towards his RUNAWAY BLANKET--for not going to bed just then. Will anyone in his family believe his tales? Will the reader?

My thoughts: I liked this one. I did. It's silly and quirky. The pictures definitely tell a different story than the text. Perhaps different is too strong a word. They add more to the narration...so it's important to "read" the pictures as well.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

27. How To Make a Bedtime

  

27. How To Make a Bedtime. Meg McKinlay. Illustrated by Karen Blair. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, bedtime books]

First sentence: When the sun's light is fading
and night's on the rise,
it's time to start yawning
your sleepy goodbyes.
Time for snuggling and snoozing
and slumbering now.
Time for making your bedtime,
and I'll show you how.

Premise/plot: On the surface, this looks like your typical, super-cozy, predictable bedtime story book to share with the little ones in your life. On the surface. In many ways it is indeed just that. However, the 'parent' is a bear and the 'child' is, well, human. I would have personally preferred both to be bears OR both to be human. Perhaps it is a silly element that is supposed to be super delightful and charming? 

The parent and child go through a bedtime routine--that's it.

My thoughts: I mostly enjoyed the narrative. It has a certain delightful playfulness in terms of language. 'Rosily warm,' 'deliciously dry,' 'cloud-soft pajamas,' 'pillow-peeking,' 'purpling sighs,' etc. I think the narrative may prove lyrical and soothing--just the right sort of book to read aloud. (Only parents who have read this one aloud to their little ones could say definitely one way or another.)

What I personally did not quite like is the random BOLDING of certain words in the text. Like WHY. Seriously WHY. Are parents supposed to put emphasis on those words? Are they hints as to when to take a breath? When to pause? Do they serve any purpose whatsoever except to be NOT REGULAR.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

37. Good Night, Cuddle Tight

Board book: Good Night, Cuddle Tight. Kristi Valiant. 2023. [December] 20 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When daytime is over and moonlight shines bright, Dad hugs all his bunnies. 

Premise/plot: This board book stars a lovely bunny family. The premise is simple: it is BEDTIME but the little bunnies have extra special requests that are putting off said bedtime. It starts with one....but leads to ALL the bunnies wanting a special, unique, just for them kind of bedtime hug/cuddle. 

My thoughts: I thought this one was adorable. The illustrations are preciously adorable. Yet they are not so precious and cutesy that they miss out on humor or being relatable. One of my favorite scenes: "She grabs his ears and skips 'round to his back. 'Is this a good hug?' 'No, it's like an attack!'" The story is predictable enough, but this one has more story than you might suppose. In other words, it is not entirely dinky. There is an actual story that elevates it.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

166. There's A Cow In My Bed

There's a Cow in My Bed. Daniel Fehr. Illustrated by Jorge Martin. 2023. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [Picture book]

First sentence: "Why are you still up, dear?" "I can't go to bed, Dad...there's a cow in my bed!"

Premise/plot: A little girl struggles to go to bed. Her dad is firm that it IS bedtime--no matter what. But is she telling the truth? Well, the answer might surprise you! 

My thoughts: Is there more than one way to interpret this silly tale? Probably. Am I going to go with the interpretation that the little girl is telling the truth? Probably. This bedtime read is SO silly and fun. In part, I think it is so fun--joyous even--is because of the illustrations. (If you like the illustrations on the cover, chances are you'll like the interior illustrations as well). There will always be room for silly bedtime books.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

51. Good Knight, Mustache Baby

Good Knight, Mustache Baby. Bridget Heos. Illustrated by Joy Ang. 2021. [December] 40 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: United in friendship, they spent their days riding, jousting, and slaying giants. Yet each night, darkness befell them. By law of the land feasting, fighting, and fun ended at the stroke of seven. At that hour all babies were banished to bedtime.

Premise/plot: Mustache Baby (aka Billy) is back with his good buddy, Javier, in Good Knight, Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos. In this adventure, Mustache Baby swears to DEFY bedtime. But resisting all the authority in the kingdom is easier said than done...

My thoughts: I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. Mustache Baby is always good for a laugh. This one is no exception. In fact, I think it might be my favorite of the series? Maybe. It'd be hard to say. It might be a case of the most recently read is my favorite. Still, this one is worth checking out (or, you know, buying). My favorite quote, "He fought valiantly, but in the end he was captured by the Lord and Lady of the House of Mustache...and banished to the castle turret."

The text and illustrations work together well. The illustrations add to the humor for sure.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

1. Forty Winks

Forty Winks: A Bedtime Adventure. Kelly DiPucchio. Illustrated by Lita Judge. 2021. [October 26] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "It's time for bed!" the Wink parents said.

Premise/plot: The Wink parents have THIRTY-EIGHT to put to bed to be precise! The Winks are a family of MICE. This bedtime book goes through the usual routine--though a bit more intense perhaps--that parents go through daily when caring for little ones. The illustrations give details to ALL thirty-eight children highlighting the fact that each child is unique, special, loved. (The book also lists ALL of their names under their illustrations at the beginning. The names are definitely FUN and SILLY.)

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I love the illustrations. Some of the Winks are just so absolutely adorable. You could definitely pick a favorite to follow throughout the book. Perhaps a new one each time if you're going to choose it as an again-again-again book with little ones. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

25. The Froggies Do NOT Want to Sleep

The Froggies Do NOT Want to Sleep. Adam Gustavson. 2021. [June] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: The froggies do NOT want to sleep.

Premise/plot:  If the froggies do NOT want to sleep, then what do they want to do?!?! In Adam Gustavson's new picture book, readers find out just what these froggies DO want to do. 

My thoughts: It's not unusual to have picture books where young children--or ANIMALS--do NOT want to go to sleep. The Froggies Do NOT Want to Sleep is a fun addition to the group. It is silly, delightful, zany, odd. 

It didn't take many pages for me to start loving it. 

They want to hop. They want to practice their accordions and ride their unicycles...and play dress-up. 

Perhaps these froggies are inspired by the Muppet Show?!?! 

They want to sing opera while firing themselves out of cannons.

I loved the text--no doubt about it. I didn't love the illustrations...at least not as much as I'd hoped. I'd still recommend the book.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Goodnight, Starry Night

Goodnight, Starry Night (Peek-a-boo Art) Amy Guglielmo and Julie Appel. 2019. [October 15] Scholastic. 24 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Goodnight glowing moon up high.../ Goodnight stars. Goodnight sky.

Premise/plot: Love reading? Love art? This rhyming board book combines ART with the oh-so-familiar game of peek-a-boo. And if that wasn't enough, it is also a lovely bedtime book! So the art being shared with little ones:

• Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night
• Berthe Morisot's The Cradle
• Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy
• Franz Marc's The White Cat
• Diego Rivera's Delfina and Dimas
• Vincent van Gogh's The Bedroom

 The book ends with a smidge of information about each artist.

My thoughts: This was a lovely, charming book. I would have loved it even without the peek-a-boo feature. The rhyming text goes so well with the artwork they've selected to highlight. Many pages--though not all--feature a die-cut that allows a peek-a-boo effect with each piece of art. The text is definitely art-driven!

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Rabbit, The Dark, and the Cookie Tin

The Rabbit, the Dark, and the Cookie Tin. Nicola O'Byrne. 2019. Candlewick Press. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Once upon a time, there was a rabbit who didn't want to go to sleep. "Oh, no!" squeaked Rabbit when it started to get dark. "I'm not tired and I don't want to go to bed!" Then a bright idea popped into his head. "I don't want to go to bed," said Rabbit, "and if it doesn't get dark, I won't have to."

Premise/plot: Rabbit IS NOT tired. Rabbit IS NOT cranky. Rabbit IS clever, right?! I mean who else would think up a way to TRAP THE DARKNESS to put off bedtime?!?!

My thoughts: I really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this story. It is a PROPER story. I love the play between Rabbit and the Dark--their dialogue/conversation. It's just a super-fun and delightful read. It probably isn't a bedtime story that will make your little ones sleepy. It probably is a story-time story that will make you LAUGH.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

© 2019 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Good Night, My Love

Good Night, My Love. Sandra Magsamen. 2013/2018. Scholastic. 10 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Good night, my little buttercup. It's off to bed for you. Good night, my precious baby bear. May all your dreams come true.

Premise/plot: Good Night, My Love features a squishy, sparkly moon. The board book also features flaps to lift. It is a bedtime themed board book for little ones.

My thoughts: The text is sweet. The illustrations are as well. Is it my absolute favorite bedtime book? NO. Not really. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Joyce Wan's You Are My Cupcake which was published in 2012. Though technically You Are My Cupcake isn't bedtime-themed. It can be read--perhaps should be read--morning, noon, and night.

Reading to little ones is essential. Your child is never too young to start. 

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Monkey Not Ready For Bedtime

Monkey: Not Ready for Bedtime. Marc Brown. 2017. Random House. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "It's time for bed, Monkey! Do you have your pj's on?" "Yes." "Did you brush your teeth?" "Yes." "Where is Mr. Fuzzy?" "Mr. Fuzzy is on be bed." But Monkey couldn't fall asleep.

Premise/plot: Night after night Monkey has trouble falling asleep. Can Monkey's big brother help his little brother out?

My thoughts: Monkey is the star of Marc Brown's new series. I believe this is the third book in the series. Other books include Monkey Not Ready for Baby and Monkey Not Ready for Kindergarten.

It was an okay book for me. I don't actively dislike Monkey and his family. It's more of a lack of feeling. Perhaps a lack of feeling might be called boredom. But I don't know that I care even enough to be bored by Monkey.

Since he's the star of a series, it would be nice if I could feel something toward him.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 6 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Will Sheep Sleep?

Will Sheep Sleep? Hilary Leung. 2018. Scholastic. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Sheep has been playing all day, and now he is tired...but will Sheep sleep?

Premise/plot: Will Sheep EVER fall asleep? That is the all-important question in this adorable new board book by Hilary Leung.

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the story of this one. A book can use simple words and still tell a good, entertaining story. This story is told in a question-answer format. And a large part of the story is communicated not with words but by the illustrations.

Will brushing his teeth help Sheep sleep?
No.

 The illustrations show Sheep and his friend sword-fighting with their toothbrushes.

Will a night-light help Sheep sleep?
No.

The illustrations show Sleep and his friend playing shadow-puppets.

I definitely liked the ending! Sheep falls asleep counting sheep. (His friends dress up as sheep!)


© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

This is the Kiss

This is the Kiss. Claire Harcup. Illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo. 2017. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: When you've had a fun day and you're ready for bed, this is the wave...and the squeeze of the hand...that led to the touch...that led to the smile...that led to the hands going round and round and round until...they started the tickle...

Premise/plot: This is the Kiss is a sweet picture book ideal for sharing at bedtime.

My thoughts: I really liked this one. I thought the bears were adorable! The text flows gently and predictably from cover to cover. All the action leads up to...you guessed it...a kiss, a good night kiss.
The edition I read was Scholastic's Story Play edition. This edition adds prompts for parents. Prompts like: "What is Little Bear building?" "With whom do you love holding hands?" "How are Little Bear and Big Bear feeling? How can you tell?" etc.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Nighty-Night, Cooper

Nighty-Night, Cooper. Laura Numeroff. 2013. HMH. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Cooper climbed out of his mama's warm pouch. Dressed in his jammies, he lay on the couch. His mama sat near him. "I can't sleep," he said. "Please, can you sing, then I'll go to my bed?"

Premise/plot: Cooper can't sleep. His mama finds a way to tell him stories and sing to him at the same time. The tunes she sings: "Rock-a-bye Baby," "The Farmer in the Dell," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," "Jingle Bells," and "Lullabye and Good Night."

My thoughts: My guess is that all the singing would make this a fun read aloud to share with little ones. I liked this one because I like to make up my own words to familiar songs. I always have. I'm guessing I always will. That's just how my family works. I like it because it celebrates singing in addition to celebrating the bond between parent and child.

My lingering question: Why kangaroos? If Cooper gets to crawl back into his mama's pouch to go to sleep, why would bedtime ever be a struggle? True, bedtime struggles don't always, always, always have to be about separation anxiety--mom or dad leaving the room, being all alone in your bed all alone, sleepy but still awake. True, bedtime struggles could come from "I'm not tired. I'm not ready for bed. I want to play." But the closeness and safety of Mama--being IN the pouch--I'm not seeing why Cooper would ever have stress. In fact, he seems to have the good life.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Sleepy Toes

Sleepy Toes. Kelli McNeil. Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld. 2017. Scholastic. 26 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Are your toes getting sleepy? So very, very sleepy? All day long they wiggle along--wiggly, wobbly toes. And now it's time to get some rest, so tomorrow we can be our best. Is your tummy getting sleepy? So very, very sleepy? All day long it gurgles along--giggly, gurgly tummy. And now it's time to turn off the light. Rest, little tummy, all is right.

Premise/plot: What you should know about this one: a) it is a board book; b) it has a padded cover; c) it is a bedtime book; d) it stars six different children; e) it is a rhyming book.

My thoughts: Do you ever judge a book by its cover? Be honest. I didn't expect to like this one much. It looked dinky to me. I was wrong; I admit it. I did like it. I haven't decided if I "really like it" or if I maybe "love" it. But I'd easily recommend it.

It features six children--a mix of girls and boys. Most are white, I'll be honest. But it looks like one at least has a darker complexion.

The book definitely follows a pattern: Are your/Is your [insert body part] getting sleepy? So very, very sleepy? All day long they/it [fill in the blank with rhyming words]. And now it's time to....[more rhyming words.] Even the illustrations seemed to follow a pattern. Each child either had an actual PET (cat, dog) OR a beloved stuffed animal that "helped" them get ready for bed.

The rhythm of the rhymes worked for me for the most part.

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: Good Night, Sweetie

Good Night, Sweetie. Joyce Wan. 2017. Scholastic. 14 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: You are my wish upon a star. My bright, shining moon from afar.

Premise/plot: Good Night, Sweetie is a sweet, glittery bedtime board book.

My thoughts: Joyce Wan has written a handful of board books. My favorite by far is You Are My Cupcake. What I loved about You Are My Cupcake was that you could easily, effortlessly sing it to the tune of "You Are My Sunshine." (True you might have to add a syllable or two. But still easy for anyone who loves to sing.) None of Wan's other books have matched it as far as that is concerned. But my love for You Are My Cupcake is so strong and I have so many deep, strong, happy-happy emotions embedded in my memory that every time I see Wan's illustrations I get excited and hopeful.

Good Night, Sweetie is a good enough book, I suppose. The illustrations are super-sweet. But the book definitely is lacking in the rhythm and rhyme department. There's one spread that just feels like it's lacking a word. "My kissable, squeezable, cuddly" is how I read. And I want to say cuddly WHAT? You? Boo? Bear? Bunny? Lamb?

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Board book: I Dare You Not To Yawn

I Dare You Not to Yawn. Helene Boudreau. Illustrated by Serge Bloch. 2017. Candlewick Press. 28 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Yawns are sneaky. They can creep up on you when you least expect them. There you are, minding your own business, building the tallest block tower in the history of the universe or dressing up the cat when suddenly...

Premise/plot: A boy warns little ones of the dangers of yawning. Yawns lead to being sent to put on pajamas, pajamas lead to being read to, being read to leads to being sung to, being sung to leads to being hugged and kissed, and...

Before you know it, you're tucked into bed, snug as a bug, and wondering..."How did I get here?"

My thoughts: Our little hero tries his best NOT to yawn as he warns others of the dangers of yawning. How did I like this one? I definitely liked it. It made me yawn--in the middle of the day. I think it's a funny story that isn't your typical bedtime story. In fact, the boy almost stereotypes all of the traditional stories. 


© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Time for Bed

Time for Bed. Mem Fox. Illustrated by Jane Dyer. 1993/2010. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 28 pages.

It's time for bed, little mouse, little mouse,
Darkness is falling all over the house.
It's time for bed, little goose, little goose,
The stars are out and on the loose.
It's time for bed, little cat, little cat,
So snuggle in tight, that's right, like that.

Time for Bed is bedtime book. I like the rhythm of this one. The sweet and gentle rhymes. Each spread features a different animal. I wasn't so found of the snake. But, for the most part, I liked this one.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers