Book Finder

Little Red Chicken tells his father about what he learned in school; unexpected occurrences in stories or “the Elephant of Surprise”! Of course, when the parent and child read traditional tales, young Red must add that blue elephant of surprise. The pair was introduced in Interrupting Chicken (opens in a new window) but stands alone and is equally funny.

Young animals are tucked into bed by a caring adult. Pull the tab, and see them asleep in their cozy warm beds. Heavy duty tabs slide across to create a simple but magical scene change, sure to delight.

Jaunty words swirl and whirl along with vivacious illustrations across the pages as readers watch a little girl named Lollipop dance and play. Her parents and even her pets are tired as Lollipop ultimately slows down for bed, “Dreaming hip-hop!” 

Young energetic animals play, picnic and cavort until it’s time to go home and get ready for bed. Lively language swirls among the humorously illustrated Australian animals that are identified by name on the final spread (almost a visual glossary).

If you don’t blink, you don’t have to turn the page; you therefore don’t have to go to bed. Each time a blink occurs, however, the closer the end gets in this humorous, participatory book with a big-eyed owl as a guide (who, by the way, is asleep by book’s end).

Family life is busy for the young narrator until after dinner when he and his dad share the Magic Hour. As day wanes but before being tucked in, father and child take a magical neighborhood walk enjoying small pleasures along the way. Gentle text and handsome illustrations combine to reveal one family’s loving and lovely tradition.

Young children will recognize the bedtime ritual shared by two siblings from cleaning up to taking a bath, from reading to snuggling with a lovey, Soft illustrations complement the brief text on sturdy pages.

The parent rabbit in a lush, flowered field with a small child-rabbit describes the warm, quiet moments together that are what love is. As the duo cozily curl together to sleep, the big rabbit concludes that “there are more reasons than there are stars up in the sky [to love the child-rabbit].”

Young readers will find the adult cat hiding from an energetic kitten until both wind up in the same bed for a much-needed nap. Simple forms outlined in black and straightforward text tell a tale that both children and adults recognize.

Buster, a small white dog, hides from a child as they play enthusiastically all day. But turnabout is fair; in the evening, the toddler waits for Buster to find her in bed. Charming illustrations and lively text capture the energy of a baby and her dog.

A boy walks his dog as the sun sets, glimpsing different activities in the lighted windows. The brightest window is in his own home where his mother waits for him. As night falls outside that window, the pair curl up together to share a book.  Detailed illustrations use light and dark to present a warm story.

A child and his mother see the moon peek in and between the buildings as they take a nighttime walk. Though it appears in different places, it is the same moon that watches over the sleeping child when he returns to go to bed. Dark pages with uncluttered forms are punctuated by light to delight.

A young mouse’s bed is used to launch an imaginative trip to exotic places with a bit of this and a dash of that shared by the grownup rodent. Simple, colorful illustrations depict the silly adventures that culminate with a kiss goodnight.

It’s nighttime on the farm and everyone is ready to snuggle in. But when Pig plops into his sty, he hears a MOOO!  It seems no one wants to sleep in their own place. One by one, however, each displaces the interloper until sleep can really happen. Comic illustrations accompany the vivacious tale to its satisfying, sleepy conclusion.

Rhythmic, inventive language — “Yawny and dozy…”, “Tickly and feathery…” — along with boldly lined illustrations ask how each animal pair says goodnight. Turn the sturdy half page to see the cozy nighttime cuddle. Deep hues and black lines present the prefect bedtime tale to relax young children. 

Inside a tent it’s cozy. But what is going on outside? Is it dark? Is it scary? Not if you have your trusty flashlight! Told solely through images and using a spare yet dramatic palette, the author has crafted a masterful exploration of night, nature, and art. Both lyrical and humorous, this visual poem — like the flashlight beam itself — reveals that there is magic in the darkness.

Join a mother and her children on an imaginative journey to places where bears ride bicycles and wear scarves, lions read books, and buses are fish that fly through the clouds. Highly detailed, inventive black and white illustrations with splashes of red move the journey along until the very satisfying conclusion.

After a busy night in the neighborhood, Mr. Pip, the cat, tries to find a quiet place to sleep. That’s easier said than done! Vacuum cleaners, canoodlers and more make noises that keep the poor feline awake! Stylized illustrations in rich colors and lots of alliterative language create an irresistible tale.

Different animals have different rituals before bed. From “ten terribly tired tigers” to “one weary wombat” — alliterative language counts down to sleep. The cozy countdown is illustrated with soft lines and comforting colors for a sweet bedtime book.

Split pages reveal animals and children, first awake and then asleep, until all are cozily tucked in with a turn of a page. Simple, appealing illustrations and straightforward text complete this bedtime package.

The farmer’s sheep don’t stay on the farm when there are so many other interesting things to explore! Can the farmer gather them up in time? Counting sheep and enjoying their antics is humorously presented in rhyme and jaunty illustrations.

Little pigs play on pudgy fingers in this inventive and playful illustrated rhyme. Young children and adults are sure to enjoy reading and re-reading the book and slow down to examine the colorful paintings.

Sleepers, both human and four-legged, pile atop of each other in this clever cumulative rhyme. Rich illustrations evoke the evening setting and provide humorous personalities to the drowsy granny and her companions.