The Going-To-Bed Book

What else is there to say? I love it. My baby loves it! The rhythm and rhyme just lull you right to sleep, and the importance of nightly tasks become a joy rather than a task. Highly recommended!

In looking for another whimsical, creative, offbeat baby book like Pat the Bunny (from the book within the book: "How big is bunny? Soooooooo big.") I found that this title, Moo Baa, and Peek-a Who? were purchased on Amazon by people who bought Pat. I was expecting a real story, not just a series of bedtime activities.

If you're considering buying this you should also be aware that: (1) you may have some trouble recognizing naming all of the animals for your curious baby; (2) you may have to decide whether or not the animals are on Noah's Ark and if not where they are; (3) you might have trouble encouraging your baby to take a bath like the animals and to brush her teeth like the animals when you will likely discourage her from exercising like the animals!

At least the exercise is a bit of unexpected whimsy.

We read this at least three times a week at bedtime. I never get tired of reading it and my 14 month old loves the pictures. Very creative and engaging, a must have for bedtime.

Sandra Boynton has left her mark on the children's book industry and this is a great example of why she's been so successful. The story and illustrations just appeal to kids and there's no secret that this is her formula. Make going to bed fun and maybe, just maybe, it won't be such a chore!

Another bedtime story I'd recommend is Ladybug Baby Bug, by Janice and Mark Perkins, because of its similar qualities.

I love Sandra Boynton. I love the illustrated characters, the simple rhymes and so, evidently, do children. The Going to Bed Bed Book looked perfect for my toddler at bed time, so I couldn't resist picking it up recently at a local bookstore. The board-book format means less destruction, so if you can just keep 'em from chewing it, the book should last a long time.

The short rhyming story follows the adorable cartoon characters as they go through their bedtime routine. They take their baths, put on their pajamas and brush their teeth. Now this is the part where I had a teensy problem...after brushing their teeth, the characters all go and exercise before going to bed. Now I don't know about you, but a two-year-old exercising before bedtime around here is a recipe for...well...a two-year-old not going to sleep. So I freely admit that I kind of skip that page.

But the very last lines make up for it:

"The moon is high. The sea is deep. They rock and rock and rock to sleep."

It is at this point that I usually drift off and my son has to jar me awake so I can kiss him goodnight.

I do recommend the book if you don't have a problem with the exercise bit or if you have a child who does NOT feel the need to mimic everything they see or read. It really is a lovely toddler's book for either gender.