Bedtime for Sweet Creatures

by Nikki Grimes, Elizabeth Zunon Narrated by Carra Patterson

Overview

Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year

Kirkus Best Book of the Year

Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

4 STARRED REVIEWS

Nikki Grimes', Coretta Scott King Award-winning author, latest children's masterpiece creates an imagination-fueled and animal-filled journey to bedtime.

"Has the feel of an all-time great bedtime picture book"-The New York Times

It's bedtime. But Mommy's little one is not sleepy.

He growls like a bear, he questions like an owl, he tosses his mane like a lion. He hunts for water like a sly wolf, and hides like a snake.

Mommy needs to wrangle her sweet creature in bed so that the whole family can sleep. From tigers to squirrels to snakes, the little boy dodges around his bedtime, until he is tired enough to finally sleep. His imaginative animal friends weave their way through the story eventually joining him in curling up for the night.

For those seeking children's books about diversity, this loving depiction of everyday shenanigans is sure to become a bedtime favorite. Bedtime for Sweet Creatures is an African American children's book that celebrates imagination, playful moments, and the love between a Black mother and child.

"The mother's loving understanding is demonstrated by how she works with her child's rich imagination, never slipping into admonishment. As such, children will engage with the pajama-clad tot's antics and be soothed by the book's positive tone. A fabulous interpretation of an everyday battle."-Booklist, STARRED review

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

Grimes and Zunon capture the time-for-bed dance with verve, imagination and empathy…With its refreshing ending…this one has the feel of an all-time great bedtime picture book.

From the Publisher

"Grimes and Zunon capture the time-for-bed dance with verve, imagination and empathy in this tale of a not-sleepy child and her creative appeals to stay up longer... On each lovely page, Zunon collages realistic images of the family alongside fanciful, mythical-looking animals. With its refreshing ending — the girl ends up in her parents’ bed, as so many children do — this one has the feel of an all-time great bedtime picture book." — The New York Times

"vivid and appealing" — The Wall Street Journal

"Lots of rich imagery plus brightly colored collage illustrations make this a wonderful choice to read to children at bedtime, rich with family, imagination, and love." — Imagination Soup

"[A] rhythmic, playful romp through a restless child’s bedtime routine... a loving, effective lullaby." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An adorable and imaginative bedtime story to add to collections for young children...children will engage with the pajama-clad tot’s antics and be soothed by the book’s positive tone. A fabulous interpretation of an everyday battle." — Booklist (starred review)

"A patient mother with a healthy sense of whimsy helps prepare her headstrong toddler for bed... Zunon's art takes this book to the next level: Her portrayals of the animals mentioned in the text are colorful and full of intriguing patterns and shapes. An adventurous treat of a bedtime story." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Lushly illustrated…A clever bedtime tale for stubborn, active twenty-first-century kids." — Hornbook

"Exceptionally well-done… highly recommended." — School Library Journal (starred review)

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2019-09-15
A patient mother with a healthy sense of whimsy helps prepare her headstrong toddler for bed.

The story opens with a toddler, fists raised into the air, proclaiming, "No! No! No!" Thank goodness this not-at-the-moment-sweet creature's mother is patient and creative as she corrals her child into a bedtime routine that may feel familiar to many readers. The words and behaviors of the child evading bed are translated into animal sounds and behaviors: wide-eyed and asking "Who? Who?" like an owl; shaking hair and roaring like a lion; hanging on for a hug like a koala. And, of course, the requisite leaving bed for a last trip to the bathroom and drink, like a human child. Zunon's art takes this book to the next level: Her portrayals of the animals mentioned in the text are colorful and full of intriguing patterns and shapes. Additionally, the expressions on the faces of the mother, child, and animals speak volumes, portraying the emotions of each. Arguably, the sweetest part of the story comes at the end, when the child asks to sleep with Mommy and Dad. Though the mother sighs, the child climbs in, along with "owl, bear, snake, kitty, fawn, squirrel, koala, tiger, wolf." (Readers attuned to details will notice the father's look of delight at the parade of animals.) All characters are black.

An adventurous treat of a bedtime story. (Picture book. 2-5)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940179014669
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	01/21/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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