Thank You and Good Night

by Patrick McDonnell

Overview

Maggie hosts a pajama party at which Clement, Alan Alexander, and Jean play a variety of fun games, tire themselves, and drift off to sleep--but not before sharing their gratitude.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316338011
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/06/2015
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD480L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Patrick McDonnell’s beloved and award-winning comic strip, MUTTS, has appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries for 30 years. Charles Schulz called it “One of the best comics strips of all time.” Patrick is the author of several New York Times bestselling picture books, including The Gift of Nothing, and the Caldecott Honor winning Me...Jane. Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. Other children’s books include Hug Time, A Perfectly Messed-Up Story, The Monsters’ Monster, and Thank You and Goodnight. Patrick was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years and currently serves on the boards of The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust. He lives in New Jersey.

Editorial Reviews

With McDonnell's adorably drawn little characters and openhearted message, [Thank You and Good Night is] a playful and extraordinarily charming bedtime book.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

★ 2015-07-15
Clement, Jean, and Alan Alexander (a small rabbit, miniature elephant, and a pint-sized bear) enjoy a proper pajama party—complete with chicken dances, funny faces, balloon bounces, midnight snacks, stargazing, and lullabies. Maggie, a little girl herself, acts as a chaperone, nudging them into bed when their eyes get heavy and finally leading them in an evening giving of thanks. Her lyrical recounting of the friends' night together, strung together with sweet S sounds and snug images, sends readers slipping and sliding into sleep themselves. Some parents might feel tempted to sing such quaint rhymes: "Cozy pajamas, / a happy surprise, / night birds singing / sweet lullabies.…" This picture book's satisfyingly soft illustrations and diminutive dimensions (7 inches by 8 1/2 inches) feel just right for its plush language and darling characters and content. Handmade paper absorbs pen, ink, and watercolor artwork: islands of images, nebulous in shape but rich in saturation and suggestive linework. As so often with McDonnell, the details charm even the most cynical viewers: the wee animals chow down to a chorus of "nom"s; they sleepwalk their ways to bed uttering little "Z"s. Reproduced on unusually and comfortably thick card stock, the illustrations offer tactile as well as visual joy. Small listeners will nestle deep under their covers feeling thankful for tender books that make bedtime a pleasure. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Thank You and Good Night:
A CCBC Children's Choices Book of 2016

A Publishers Weekly Best Picture Book of 2015
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2015
A School Library Journal Best of 2015 Book
A BCCB Best Children's Book of 2015
 
*"This picture book's satisfyingly soft illustrations...feel just right for its plush language and darling characters and content.... Small listeners will nestle deep under their covers feeling thankful for tender books that make bedtime a pleasure."
 —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"The book's simplicity, gentle rhythms, and easy patterns make it perfect for bedtime reading.... Youngsters who love their stuffed animals will particularly latch onto this, and parents who want to promote nocturnal tranquility (or those with their own fond memories of Pooh Bear) will appreciate this little gem as well."

—BCCB, starred review

*"A book that readers of all ages will be thankful for."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

*"This delightful bedtime story extols the virtues of friendship and of being grateful for simple pleasures."—School Library Journal, starred review

"The gentle...text is nicely echoed in the small ink-and-watercolor vignettes, centered on the creamy pages."—The Horn Book

From the Publisher