A couple of bedtime stories

I read two new bedtime stories today.

My favorite was Goodnight, Dragons by Judith L. Roth. As one might guess, it's the story of how a little boy helped some dragons get ready for bed. For those who wonder what the procedure might be, he wrapped them in blankets, settled them in clover, gave them hot chocolate, and they fell sleep.

"Maybe all a dragon needs is a cuddle. Maybe all a dragon needs is one sweet dream."

This book is most appropriate for children in preschool and kindergarten. I think it will also work well with toddlers, and plan to use it in Toddler Time.

The other book was Sweet Dreams by Rose A. Lewis. The striking illustrations are my favorite element of this book. The story's poetic text is also nice, but the art is what attracts me to the book - especially the pictures of monarch butterflies and other woodland creatures.

I think Sweet Dreams is best for one-on-one sharing, so that the child can see all of the illustrations' details. My estimate is that it's most appropriate for ages 4 and up.

Utterly Lovely One by Mary Murphy

Utterly Lovely One by Mary Murphy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I like that the protagonist tells her child what positive features she appreciates about other animals they know.

It could lead to a discussion of what is special about the child, what the child and parent appreciate about people they know, or that everyone is special in their own way.

Or it could be a nice book to read without any thought of extending activities!









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Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman

Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This adaptation of "The Gingerbread Man" by the creators of "Armadilly Chili" and "The Three Little Gators" is a great choice for Joliet Reads. It would be lots of fun for kids in grades K-3 and has a sprinkling of Spanish words.



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There But for The by Ali Smith

There but for the by Ali Smith

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Based on the reviews and descriptions of this book on Best of the Year lists, I expected to love this book. A bit quirky? Fine. Written from different viewpoints? Fine. Not linear? Probably fine, just so there was some sort of logic that I could follow.

They neglected to mention that the wit and wordplay became precious, or that the reader would reach the end of the book still having no clue why Miles (aka Milo) had locked himself in the room for months, which I found incredibly frustrating.

It seems this is a book for special readers and I wasn't special enough....





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Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein

Every Thing on It by Shel Silverstein

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There are times when posthumous publication of an author's work is a bad thing.

But that is certainly not the case with Every Thing on It by Shel Silverstein. Hurray hurray!

I think it would be a great choice for Joliet Reads - definitely for grades 4 and 5, maybe for third graders.







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Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas

Is Everyone Ready for Fun? by Jan Thomas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


So. Much. Fun.



Excellent for toddlers, preschoolers AND early elementary. Fun fun fun!!!!!!





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The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An excellent (quiet) book for one-on-one sharing with preschoolers. Shhhhhhhh.



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