Too Early

by Nora Ericson, Elly MacKay (Illustrator)

Overview

A gentle, cozy story following a family’s bleary-eyed wake-up routine, a little one who’s eager to start the day, and the quiet magic of early mornings

I wake up very early.
Good morning, Sun, on your way at last. You don’t wake up nearly as early as I do.
   
Now the wind is waking.
Tickle tickle on my cheeks,
rustle rustle through the leaves.
  
Birds untuck and start to coo,
Whooo whooo, you wake up too early, yes you doooo . . .
  
In sweet, melodic verse written from the perspective of the earliest riser, Too Early follows a family's morning routine, exploring both the groggy haze and the everyday magic inherent in the predawn hours of a loving household.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683357650
Publisher:	ABRAMS
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Nora Ericson studied painting at Yale University and writing for children at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from central New York, she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with two kids, two dogs, and two cats. Besides reading and writing, she loves cooking, tromping in the woods, and whittling spoons while daydreaming of her future miniature donkey farm. She’s also the author of Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird and Dill & Bizzy: Opposite Day. 

Editorial Reviews

★ 10/10/2022

In short, conversational verse lines, Ericson (the Dill & Bizzy series) and MacKay (In the Clouds) chronicle a morning in the house of a young early riser. Standing in their parents’ bedroom doorway holding a stuffie, a child portrayed with light brown skin, curly hair, and starred pajamas rouses the adults. “Shhhh, don’t wake the baby,” the mother says, offering sleepy smooches; “Too early,” the father groans, before grabbing his robe and shuffling downstairs. Attentive to noises and sensations (“Burble burble goes the coffee pot. Beep beep”), the text captures warmth and affection as father and child head for the front porch, where the moon still shines bright: “Snuggle in, but watch your elbows./ (Careful not to bump the coffee!).” Layered images in shadowy blue hues gradually illuminate, exploring the way the first faint light of dawn steadily grows brighter, changing from dark blues to pinks and, finally, golden yellow. Images of the closely cuddled duo make it clear that though the father grumbles (“You sure do wake up early”), sunrise and a shooting star—and fleeting one-on-one time—represent a gift in the ordinary moments before a day’s “rush rush.” Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Ericson’s short sentences and soft onomatopoetic flourishes (shhhh, sip, rustle, whooo whooo) bring a soothing rhythm to this story."

The Horn Book

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Perfectly capturing the magical essence of this liminal time of the day. Fellow early risers may be inspired to sit out on the porch with a warm mug of milk."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Cozy, sumptuous, and stirring—the perfect way to greet the dawn.—Kirkus Reviews

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Images of the closely cuddled duo make it clear that though the father grumbles ('You sure do wake up early'), sunrise and a shooting star—and fleeting one-on-one time—represent a gift in the ordinary moments before a day’s 'rush rush.'" —Publishers Weekly

**STARRED REVIEW**
"The wonderful and familiar details, such as the hallway night light, the half-dozing/half-awake shuffle of the father before the coffee kicks in, and the doggies doing their morning upward and downward stretches, bring the morning to life." —School Library Journal

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Perfectly capturing the magical essence of this liminal time of the day. Fellow early risers may be inspired to sit out on the porch with a warm mug of milk."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Ericson’s short sentences and soft onomatopoetic flourishes (shhhh, sip, rustle, whooo whooo) bring a soothing rhythm to this story."—The Horn Book

From the Publisher

★ 11/01/2022

PreS-K—A young child is the first one out of bed, quietly waking up Mama and Daddy from their slumbers. The parents remind the little one not to wake the baby, but there is nothing to fear. The child, like the morning, is tranquil and quiet, just looking for some reassurance and affection. The child and Daddy get some drinks and snuggle on the front porch to enjoy the gentle dawn. While at first it seems as if the child woke too early, it's just in time. The lovely use of color in the illustrations conjures the sense of security and peace that comes with the promise of a new day. The cool blue of predawn shifts to the purples and pinks of sunrise and then to the bright yellow of the emerging sun. The wonderful and familiar details, such as the hallway night light, the half-dozing/half-awake shuffle of the father before the coffee kicks in, and the doggies doing their morning upward and downward stretches, bring the morning to life. Onomatopoeia and descriptive language throughout the text make this a great selection for language arts integration. VERDICT The surprise for listeners or lapsitters that it's not too early after all will bring home this comforting reminder to slow down and enjoy every sweet moment.—Alyssa Annico

School Library Journal

★ 2022-08-31
Rise and shine for a starting-the-day read.

Bedtime books abound, but this winning title invites readers into the morning routine of its characters. The child narrator rises before dawn, prompting Daddy to declare, “Too early.” Both parents caution, “Shhhh, don’t wake the baby.” At this point, illustrations are composed of gorgeous blue, gray, and black washes and linework, a palette evoking the still, predawn hour. While Mama stays in bed, Daddy and child pass stretching doggies on their way to the kitchen to make one mug of coffee and another of steamed milk. The pair sit on the porch, with the moon still overhead, snuggling as the world awakens. Readers may notice warm colors beginning to hint at the culminating sunrise that will conclude the book; before that, however, the quiet yet potent text engages other senses by describing rustling leaves, cooing birds, and, finally, the baby crying. Once everyone is up and rushing to ready themselves for the day, the child muses, “It won’t feel so early anymore.” The early morning stillness is clearly something this new big sibling savors, including when Mama and baby join them outside to enjoy the golden warm sunrise. Mama and the child appear to be people of color; Daddy presents White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Cozy, sumptuous, and stirring—the perfect way to greet the dawn. (Picture book. 2-6)

Kirkus Reviews