{"id":31310,"date":"2018-12-26T23:47:12","date_gmt":"2018-12-27T03:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=31310"},"modified":"2018-12-26T23:47:12","modified_gmt":"2018-12-27T03:47:12","slug":"review-of-it-is-not-time-for-sleeping-by-lisa-graff-and-lauren-castillo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=31310","title":{"rendered":"Review of It Is Not Time for Sleeping, by Lisa Graff and Lauren Castillo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It Is Not Time for Sleeping<\/p>\n

(A Bedtime Story)<\/em><\/p>\n

by Lisa Graff
\nillustrated by Lauren Castillo<\/p>\n

Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2016. 32 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

Oh, such a sweet and cozy bedtime tale!<\/p>\n

This is a cumulative tale of a boy going through his bedtime routine. The book begins as they finish dinner:<\/p>\n

When I\u2019ve munched and crunched my last three carrots
\n(except for one I fed to Jasper), Mom takes my plate.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s been a good day,\u201d she says.
\n\u201cIt is<\/em> a good day,\u201d I tell her.
\nBecause the day\u2019s not finished yet.<\/p>\n

And it is not time for sleeping.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We get little scenes as the evening continues on, but after each scene, it is still not time for sleeping. <\/p>\n

Telling what happens accumulates, and the words have a gentle rhythm. I like the way the boy yawns and stretches even as he affirms that it\u2019s not time for sleeping. Each scene is cozy with getting-ready-for-bed things.<\/p>\n

Finally, the last scene begins the same way the others have, but going one step further:<\/p>\n

When dinner is over and the dishes are scrubbed and
\nI\u2019m squeaky-squeak clean and zipped up to my chin and
\nmy teeth are shiny and I\u2019ve said good night to Jasper and
\nI\u2019m tucked tight in my bed and the story is done, Mom turns off the lights.
\nAll I can see is the glow from the hall.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

There is one more thing the boy needs, something Mom and Dad will never forget \u2013 a tight bedtime hug.<\/p>\n

And you can\u2019t ask for a better way to end a bedtime book, over several dark pages:<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, sweet darling,\u201d they whisper. \u201cWe love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

I stretch out comfy in my bed. \u201cI love you, too,\u201d
\nI whisper back. \u201cGood night.\u201d And I close my eyes.<\/p>\n

Because now . . .<\/p>\n

Now . . .<\/p>\n

Now<\/em> it is time . . .<\/p>\n

for sleeping.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This book makes me sleepy just talking about it! The danger is that your child will realize it\u2019s sleepy-making and will not want to read it at bedtime. But I\u2019m hoping that the title, which says it is NOT time for sleeping, will help.<\/p>\n

The pictures are so gentle and warm, matching the text. I love the boy\u2019s footed pajamas, and the picture of the Dad holding him upside-down by his ankles while he brushes his teeth. (Be ready to decide if you\u2019re willing to act out that part or not!)<\/p>\n

But this follows the rule of the best bedtime books: A child is sleeping at the end.<\/p>\n

hmhco.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/it_is_not_time_for_sleeping.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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