Dream Animals – A Bedtime Journey

By Emily Winfield Martin

Year: 2013

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books, New York

Age: 5 - 9

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Bedtime, Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 44981 080 4

This enchanting bedtime book about children’s journeys to Dreamland employs lyrical text to weave a web of dreams and twilight magic.

The illustrations are a combination of pencil sketches and elaborate finely detailed paintings that seem to be infused with life.  

Simply beautiful! :-)

Excerpt

There are animals from long ago

And twice as far away.

Their maps are made of starlight

And can’t be seen by day.

One Sleepy Night

By Sebastien Braun 

Year: 2013

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 2 – 4 years

No. of Pages: 20

Book Type: Bedtime, Board Book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 512 7

This charming bedtime board book is beautiful. And, of course, the central character is a baby bear on his way to bed. They stop by one sleepy owl, two badgers and three fireflies before finally calling it a night.

The rhyming text is memorable too!

Excerpt

Three sleepy fireflies litter and peep.

Softly, the wind whispers, “Hush! Time for sleep!”

One little bear has a wash before bed. 

The Sleepy Way Home to Bed

Text: Claire Freedman

Illustrations: Veronica Vasylenko

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 24

Book Type: Picture book, bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 84895 278 2

Now, here’s a bedtime book that most parents of little ones will identify with – the reluctance of a child to sleep.

The sun’s about to set in a brilliantly portrayed golden glow but Little Hare is as energetic ever. So Mummy Hare decides to take the ‘sleepy way back home’ – a winding path where they get to meet all their special friends who in their own sweet way try to get Little Hare sleepy.

This is a warm tale of friendly neighborliness and childhood innocence and the paintings are simply glorious.

A keeper, I must say!

Excerpt

“Oh, I see!”  smiled Mouse with a twinkle in his eye. “I know that special path. Follow me, Little Hare!”

Giggling, Little Hare went scurrying and hurrying after Mouse.

When the World is Ready for Bed

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Anna Currey

Year: 2011

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 3 – 7 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type:  Picture Book, Bedtime

ISBN:  978 1 40880 564 0

This is an enchanting bedtime book with charming lyrical text that evokes the beauty of dusk and night time.  

The innocence of the bedtime ritual is vividly captured in watercolors as three little ones prepare to sleep.

A big thumbs up! :-)

Excerpt

Let’s talk about

The things you’ve done –

All the laughter,

All the fun.