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Cover image for Bedtime!
Title:
Bedtime!
Personal Author:
Publication Information:
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1998
Physical Description:
1 volume (unpaged) : illustrations, photographs, colour ; 20 cm.
ISBN:
9780689810312
Added Author:

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Library
Item Barcode
Call Number
Material Type
Item Category 1
Status
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35000000010349 PZ8.3 B43 1998 Open Access Book Creative Book
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Summary

Summary

The clock, the darkness outside, and the grandma all say "Bedtime!" but the little boy says "No!" He's too busy playing with Bear, Tiger, and Clown. The little boy says, "I'm not sleepy, but maybe Bear is sleepy". Grandma tucks Bear into bed with a kiss, then does the same with Tiger and Clown. When Grandma begins reading to them, the little boy is finally ready to join his sleepy friends. Written especially for the very young, Bedtime! is a simple but satisfying story that will be a welcome addition to every family's nighttime ritual.


Author Notes

Joan W. Blos was born in New York City on December 9, 1928. She received a bachelor's degree from Vassar College and a master's degree in psychology from the City University of New York. She wrote many children's books including In the City, People Read, Joe Finds a Way, and Just Think written with author Betty Miles. A Gathering of Days received the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award. She also taught at the University of Michigan and Bank Street College of Education. She died on October 12, 2017 at the age of 88.

(Bowker Author Biography)


Reviews 3

School Library Journal Review

PreSÄA young boy attempts to forestall the inevitable in this familiar story. When his grandma announces, "Bedtime," the strong-willed youngster is too busy playing to comply. The woman counters by tucking a stuffed bear under the covers and kissing him goodnight. Soon the child admits that Tiger is also tired. A clown joins the others and the grandmother reads to her inanimate audience. At this point the little boy is ready to crawl into his grandma's comforting lap to share the story. He finally acquiesces to putting on his pajamas and climbing into bed. A clock face featured throughout indicates that 45 minutes have elapsed during the evening ritual. The illustrations are rendered in chalk pastels and the fuzzy, softened edges lend a warm aura to the story. Both the art and text are soothing. A good choice for collections needing more bedtime stories for very young children.ÄRosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Publisher's Weekly Review

This clever bedtime tale is sleep-inducing without being soporific, and offers adults a playful strategy for dealing with obstinate sleepyheads. When a grandmother announces, "Bedtime!", her grandson says, "No." However, as the evening draws on (marked by the changing minute hand on the clock face), the boy reports, one by one, that his three stuffed companions may be growing sleepy. The grandma tucks each one into the boy's bed with a goodnight kiss, then begins to read them a bedtime story "with no one sitting on her lap." The little boy climbs aboard to snuggle and hear the story's conclusion, and soon willingly joins his furry friends in bed. Writing in spare, soothing tones spiced with a sly sense of humor, Blos (A Gathering of Days) skillfully evokes a grandmother who knows little boys all too well, and appeals to a child's sense of play. She employs just the right amount of repetition to keep her young audience rapt to the last page. The calming, methodical rhythm of the text is mirrored in Lambert's (When I Was Like You) full-bleed, single-page pastels. His dense, geometric style echoes the boy's blocks and toys, and his warm hunter greens, burgundies and midnight blues emit shades of dusk. Although adults may have the most fun following Lambert's subtle gibe about the narrative's brief passage of time (the clock shows the story beginning at 7:00 p.m., and ending at 7:45), anyone with a curfew will find this book an all-around good time. Ages 1-3. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved


Booklist Review

Ages 3^-6. Bedtime stories about unwilling little sleepers are not in short supply, but this charming, quiet one is worth adding anyway. Blos not only beautifully captures a child's reluctance to leave activities of the day behind but also creates a wise grandmother who understands the problem perfectly and knows just how to cope. She shows both love and respect for her young charge, giving him the chance to find his own way. First, he sends Bear to bed, then Tiger, then Clown (so Tiger won't be lonely). Finally, he's ready himself to curl up next to his very best stuffed-animal friends. Lambert's softly focused illustrations are just right. Lit by shimmery moonlight, they glow with cozy warmth. --Stephanie Zvirin


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