Category: Bed Time Reads

You Belong to Me.

6/29/2016

You Belong to Me ( Age 1 to 5 )
By ; Mamoru Suzuki
Publisher ; Museyon ( August 2016)

This simple story delves into the universality of love and adoration for little kids with the help of an array of animals! The book portrays many different animals, all holding the baby. And the accompanying text promises him their love "I love you so much / You are my favorite person in the whole world" It offers this enormous assurance and commitment for him.
The book artfully brings out the warmth of love and protection through the expressions of these animals. Illustrations of animals holding the baby are all atmospheric; the dove holds the baby under her wings,the ice bear hugs him and the fox promises to "lick your tears when you cry." The fact that all these animals hold a human baby , and actually the same baby will make the little listeners feel that the book addresses them and that they are special.
The concept of the book "love and care" is something very small kids can understand and relate to, and the absolutely charming and clear illustrations of different animals in muted shades may evoke their curiosity and hold their attention.The simple and short lines suit them well and will be helpful in entertaining the ideas of comfort and assurance. Brilliant for small ones and a beautiful declaration of love!!

You Belong to Me

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Grumpy Pants.

5/20/2016

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Grumpy Pants. ( Ages 2 to 5 )
By : Claire Messer.
Publisher : Albert Whitman & Company ( May 2016)

A simple absorbing tale about a grumpy little penguin, who`s trying to overcome his bad mood by removing all his cloths, but nothing seems to work and the little penguin is still grumpy. The little penguin, just like all little grumpy girls and boys doesn't know why he is feeling grumpy.
A lovely book that addresses daily chaos of many households with little kids. With minimum text accompanying un-fussy illustrations, the book is easily accessible to youngsters. And the overall peaceful clarity of the book, done in a white backdrop using few basic colors, is a comforting accompaniment to talk about feeling grumpy.
As for our 'little penguin', a nice warm bath before getting into his favorite pajamas followed by a lovely hot chocolate does the trick!

Grumpy Pants

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Peep and Egg : I`m Not Hatching.

3/10/2016

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Peep and Egg : I`m Not Hatching
By : Laura Gehl & Joyce Wan
Publisher : Farrar, Straus and Giroux ( Feb.,2016)

Peep is a little chick who`s eagerly waiting for a play mate. And there`s an egg out there to be hatched. So he cannot wait till the egg is hatched. Peep has many plans to do together, a lot of fun things from watching the sunrise from the roof of the hen house to splashing in puddles. But the egg is refusing to hatch . The little chick inside is scared of the wide world. And the egg says " The roof is too high and puddles are too wet " A brilliant book to address childhood fears.

It`s appealing illustrations with a very cute and cheerful Peep and a gloomy egg compliments the story well. Short and delightful phrases are easily remembered and easy to follow. The spread in which Peep`s imagination of them watching sunrise together on top of the hen`s house, with it`s beautiful colours and lines, is a spectacular treat for the reader. And the kids wanting to know at which point the egg will hatch may listen intently. There is a lot of humour all through out the story with Peep suggesting and the egg refusing. " I`m not hatching" egg chants. A lovely book that kids will want to hear "again and again"

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Good Night, Gorilla.

2/29/2016

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Good Night, Gorilla.( Ages 2 to 4 )
By : Peggy Rathmann
Publisher : Puffin Books ( Reprint 2002)

The book won the 1994 Cuffie for " Most Likely to Succeed in Years Ahead" and many more awards as well. This story to me, is one of the best bed time reads ever.
Caldecott winner Ratmann, In this fantastic story structure provides ample space for imagination and story telling.Where parents and kids together can create their story as descriptive and lengthy as they wish it to be .

It`s bed time for all animals at the zoo and the sleepy zoo keeper goes to every cage for a final check and to wish them good night, starting from a mischievous looking Gorilla. The zoo keeper says " Goodnight Gorilla" and turns back but the gorilla grabs the keys hanging on zoo keeper`s belt and silently walks behind him in the darkness following him as he bid goodnight to other animals .But also letting them all out by unlocking their doors behind the keeper. Soon there`s a long parade of animals walking silently behind the zoo keeper.Although the keeper is not aware of them at all and seems to be too sleepy ,They all walk behind him into his bedroom and nicely cuddles to fall asleep in the warmth of the room. Gorilla settles to sleep next to Zoo keeper`s wife in bed. But as the Zoo keeper`s wife bid a final goodnight to her mate with closed eyes and half asleep they all reply her with a Goodnight to which she awakes properly and switches on the light............

Only text in the book is Goodnight , Goodnight and Goodnight the rest is to read in illustrations, Those lovely and mischievous looking animal characters and expressive illustrations in nightly colours with many details altogether creates a warm yet a hilarious bet time romp to fall asleep on!

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There`s a Bear on My Chair.

2/5/2016

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There`s a Bear on My Chair ( Ages 2 to 5)
By : Ross Collins
Publisher :Nosy Crow ( June.,2015)

An unwelcome visitor in the house, sitting on his chair, What would the poor mouse do? The bear is too big, He might even break the chair,and that`s his favorite chair. The little mouse is unhappy and wants the bear out!
With brilliant romping rhyming verses and magnificent pictures, Ross Collins has created a tale to remember. As there are always a few number of books that we carry in our memories to our adulthood, this is destined to be one of those.
It`s presented in such a delightful way,The mouse is doing everything possible to get the bear out of his chair. While the bear, sitting on the chair is doing the same to ignore the mouse.
The duo depict a common situation that many little kids get into; always drawn to others' belongings from food to toys to many other things. The bear with his silly facial expressions, together with each others tactics, from dressing up to reading a paper ensures that readers will stay attached to the book till the end. The text, full of expressions with red highlights, different font sizes and it`s hilarious rhyming effect are memorable. "I understand that bears are rare. I know they need utmost care".... "But still I cannot stand this bear". The text and the illustrations compliment each other well. "I must admit he has some flair. He has fine taste in leisurewear. I`m fond of how he does his hair. But still I wish he was not there" And finally as the mouse leaves, the bear decide to go back home. And there`s a big surprise awaiting for him as he enters his house.
This book has been nominated for the 2016 CILIP Kate Greenway Medal.

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You Look Yummy.

2/1/2016

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You Look Yummy. ( Ages 2 to 5)
By : Tatsuya Miyanishi
Publisher : Museyon ( Nov.2015)

The much loved favorite first book in a series of twelve books, with a ground breaking sales record of 3 million copies in Eastern Asia and France, is now available in English.
Volcanoes erupt, earthquakes shake the earth and a little Ankylosaurus is born. But sadly he`s an orphan.``In this big big world he was alone...The baby cried,because he felt lonely.`` His cries are not answered until a giant hungry Tyrannosaurus answers him, ``Heh heh heh .... you look yummy!`` ``Daddy! I was really lonely. I was scared.`` calls the tiny little thing cuddling to the giant Tyrannosaurus`s leg assuming that he is his father. And the giant Tyrannosaurus is stunned.
This is a heart wrenching tale about childhood innocence,their desperate need of parental protection and love. And also about the wonderful relationship between a child and a parent.
As the warm hearted Tyrannosaurus decides to be the little one`s daddy who calls himself Yummy, he saves Yummy from other predators. He also takes the task of teaching him everything he knows. Little Yummy gets to experience a bit of the warmth of a family. He admires his daddy and wants to be like him; Miyanishi has cleverly captured the thoughts of any little boy in this context and delivers it well. .
Days pass through, and when it`s time for the big Tyrannosaurus to leave, Yummy refuses to let go, ``I wanna be like you Daddy! I`ll never leave you.`` So he challenges the little one for a race. Running as fast as possible, Yummy reaches the finishing point first, where a wonderful surprise awaits! A happy ending on which, us readers and little listeners can fall asleep on.
Brilliant artwork, done in brash though deep colours, immediately captures the attention while the black outlines ensure the clarity of the images. Prehistoric settings are portrayed through volcanoes, giant rocks and earthquakes, in an almost deserted land. Beautiful starry nights and the absolute contrast in the sizes of big and the small animals seem to enhance the attractiveness of the book. The narration, with sound symbolic words(Grrrr..,Roar!!!) and very strong phrases, as well as the illustrations, are very much simple and provides only the essential amount of details; altogether ensuring the undivided attention of young readers to the story. A memorable tale about the importance of a family to a child`s life.
( With many thanks to Museyon and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review)

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When the World is Ready for Bed.

1/9/2016

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When the World is Ready for Bed.
By : Gillian Shields & Anna Currey.
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (Sept..,2010)

``When the world
is ready for bed,
The sky grows dark,
The sun glows red.``
A charming rhyming tale ideal for bed time reading.The book depicts the bed time routine of any family through a sweet bunny family of three bunny babies. As they have their supper,clear the toys, and talk about the day. They clean their teeth and get ready for bed. Mother bunny would read one last book surrounded by babies in the bed. Then it`s time for them to go to sleep,They would take a one last look at a shinning star through the window and fall asleep. ``..And look! A star is shinning bright, To guard you in the dreaming night. Today has nearly slipped away.Tomorrow brings another day. ``
The beautiful watercolor illustrations together with it`s complimenting gentle flow of text offers warmth and love, that little kids will fall in love with this book.

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You Belong to Me.

Grumpy Pants.

Peep and Egg : I`m Not Hatching.

Good Night, Gorilla.

There`s a Bear on My Chair.

You Look Yummy.

When the World is Ready for Bed.

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