{"id":32854,"date":"2018-11-12T23:46:10","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T03:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=32854"},"modified":"2018-11-12T23:46:10","modified_gmt":"2018-11-13T03:46:10","slug":"review-of-i-just-want-to-say-good-night-by-rachel-isadora","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=32854","title":{"rendered":"Review of I Just Want to Say Good Night, by Rachel Isadora"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I Just Want to Say Good Night<\/em><\/p>\n

by Rachel Isadora<\/p>\n

Nancy Paulsen Books, 2017. 32 pages.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

This book makes me wish for a child to read bedtime stories to! (Though my co-worker is starting a monthly Pajama Storytime at our library. I\u2019ll recommend this book.)<\/p>\n

On the African veld, there is a village.
\nAs the sun sets, parents tell their children,
\n\u201cIt is time for bed.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The illustrations of the book are bright yellows and oranges and pinks, appropriate for the setting sun in Africa.<\/p>\n

On the next spread, we focus in on one child.<\/p>\n

Lala greets her papa, who has been fishing.
\n\u201cOoh! You caught a big one!\u201d she says.
\n\u201cYes, it was a good day,\u201d Papa says.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is time for bed,\u201d Papa tells Lala.
\n\u201cI just want to say good night to the fish,\u201d Lala says.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then Mama starts urging Lala to bed, as the sun gets lower, and the sky gets darker (but still orange), and the shadows get longer. Lala just wants to say good night to the cat. And the bird. And the goat. And the monkey. And the chickens. (Now the moon and stars are up.) And the little ants.<\/p>\n

Through all of this, Mama\u2019s calls have nice rhythm and realistic variety. ( \u201cIt is time to go to sleep!\u201d \u201cCome now<\/em>!\u201d \u201cOh, Lala!\u201d)<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just not ready to go to sleep,\u201d Lala says to her dog.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

When Lala finally gets into bed, she just wants to say good night to her book.<\/p>\n

I love the tribute, because on the next spread, we see the book is the classic Goodnight, Moon<\/em>, by Margaret Wise Brown.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, moon!\u201d she whispers and smiles.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On the very last page, things are finally quiet, with the moon shining through the window onto the bed.<\/p>\n

This book is simply lovely. The colors are bright, fitting with the setting sun. Lala has spunk, and I like the way her braided hair stands up in all directions.<\/p>\n

Do you want to read a book to a child about another child prolonging bedtime? Well, it has lots of saying good night, and it ends with cozy sleep, so I think this one\u2019s a winner.<\/p>\n

www.rachelisadora.com<\/a>
\npenguin.com\/youngreaders<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Picture_Books\/i_just_want_to_say_good_night.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 library 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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