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Good Night, Sleep Tight!

As the days get shorter, the longer evenings are just right to curl up with a good bedtime book. Even if you're not ready for sleep, take the time to chuckle with a child whose parents give her a fit before slowing down for the evening. Or you can join the young owl who is simply not sleepy, or watch how energetic young squirrels hunker down after the day's frenetic activities. These and more are in the pages of the books recommended.

Quotable Quotes: The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go. -- Dr. Seuss

A Bedtime for Bear

By: Bonnie Becker
Illustrated by: Kady MacDonald Denton
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Bear is a creature of habit. Even when his friend, Mouse, comes for a sleepover, Bear follows his bedtime ritual. Everything goes along swimmingly until Bear is awakened by an unexpected noise but Mouse patiently reassures his friend. Soft watercolors depict the warmth of this unlikely ongoing friendship.

Bedtime for Mommy

By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Mommy tries all the typical tricks to resist her daughter's attempts to get her into bed. Though the pleas are familiar ("five more minutes?"), the lighthearted illustrations show the mother engaging in the behaviors and the child's patient response. Once Mommy is in bed, the girl starts the same routine with Daddy in this appealing book.

I'm Not Sleepy!

By: Jonathan Allen
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Though Baby Owl insists that he's not sleepy, his increasingly grumpy denials suggest otherwise. Only when Papa Owl cuddles his child and suggests a bedtime story does Baby Owl give in to sleep. Cartoon illustrations convey both the humor and warmth in this recognizable story.

Interrupting Chicken

By: David Ezra Stein
Genre: Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Though she promises she won't interrupt, a little red chicken inserts herself into the fairy tales her father reads to save the fairy tale characters from familiar bad endings. When her father tires of the interruptions, she shares an original story in which the dad is put to bed. Cartoon illustrations depict the likeable characters and humorous actions.

Last Song: A Poem

By: James Guthrie
Illustrated by: Eric Rohmann
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

Young squirrels play all day then say a "fond goodnight" as they curl up in their cozy nest in a tree, bringing to life a brief rhyming poem by Scottish poet James Guthrie (1874-1952). Illustrations are richly colored and lively, creating a cozy tale.

One Drowsy Dragon

By: Ethan Long
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

While one big drowsy dragon tries to sleep, other small dragons increase in number and noise, creating pandemonium. The rhyming text, which uses vivid language and dramatic sound effects along with bright illustrations, combine for a funny and recognizable tale.

One More Hug for Madison

By: Caroline Jayne Church
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader

After Madison's mom tucks her in, Madison wants just one more thing, then another, and another. Finally, Madison's mom falls asleep in this gentle story of a demanding young mouse and her loving mother.

Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy

By: Denise Fleming
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Tiny, sleepy animal babies each snuggle down with their loving parents until the final child, a human baby, happily drifts off to sleep. Lush illustrations combine with the lyrical text in this soothing, tender, and handsome book.

Switching on the Moon: A Very First Book of Bedtime Poems

By: Jane Yolen, Andrew F. Peters
Illustrated by: G. Brian Karas
Genre: Fiction, Poetry
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader

A large format is used to present a variety of nighttime poems by a variety of poets, neatly organized in three sections: "Going to Sleep," "Sweet Dreams," and "In the Night." Gentle, whimsical illustrations enhance the mood of each poem that will be appreciated especially when shared aloud.

Tuck Me In!

By: Dean Hacohen
Illustrated by: Sherry Scharschmidt
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: 0-3
Reading Level: Pre-Reader

Who needs to be tucked in? asks the narrator; with each page turn, a wide-eyed baby animal answers, "I do!" Colorful die-cuts serve as "blankets" to cover each animal baby and wish it goodnight until the final page when the listener is bid goodnight. A cheery, bright, and playful bedtime story perfect for very young kids.

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