Good Night, Sleep Tight!

Bear is a creature of habit. Even when his friend, Mouse, comes for a sleepover, Bear follows his bedtime ritual. Everything goes along swimmingly until Bear is awakened by an unexpected noise but Mouse patiently reassures his friend. Soft watercolors depict the warmth of this unlikely ongoing friendship.

Mommy tries all the typical tricks to resist her daughter’s attempts to get her into bed. Though the pleas are familiar (“five more minutes?”), the lighthearted illustrations show the mother engaging in the behaviors and the child’s patient response. Once Mommy is in bed, the girl starts the same routine with Daddy in this appealing book.

Though Baby Owl insists that he’s not sleepy, his increasingly grumpy denials suggest otherwise. Only when Papa Owl cuddles his child and suggests a bedtime story does Baby Owl give in to sleep. Cartoon illustrations convey both the humor and warmth in this recognizable story.

Though she promises she won’t interrupt, a little red chicken inserts herself into the fairy tales her father reads to save the fairy tale characters from familiar bad endings. When her father tires of the interruptions, she shares an original story in which the dad is put to bed. Cartoon illustrations depict the likeable characters and humorous actions.

Young squirrels play all day then say a “fond goodnight” as they curl up in their cozy nest in a tree, bringing to life a brief rhyming poem by Scottish poet James Guthrie (1874-1952). Illustrations are richly colored and lively, creating a cozy tale.

While one big drowsy dragon tries to sleep, other small dragons increase in number and noise, creating pandemonium. The rhyming text, which uses vivid language and dramatic sound effects along with bright illustrations, combine for a funny and recognizable tale.

After Madison’s mom tucks her in, Madison wants just one more thing, then another, and another. Finally, Madison’s mom falls asleep in this gentle story of a demanding young mouse and her loving mother.

Tiny, sleepy animal babies each snuggle down with their loving parents until the final child, a human baby, happily drifts off to sleep. Lush illustrations combine with the lyrical text in this soothing, tender, and handsome book.

A large format is used to present a variety of nighttime poems by a variety of poets, neatly organized in three sections: “Going to Sleep,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “In the Night.” Gentle, whimsical illustrations enhance the mood of each poem that will be appreciated especially when shared aloud.

Who needs to be tucked in? asks the narrator; with each page turn, a wide-eyed baby animal answers, “I do!” Colorful die-cuts serve as “blankets” to cover each animal baby and wish it goodnight until the final page when the listener is bid goodnight. A cheery, bright, and playful bedtime story perfect for very young kids.