Here’s this week’s Perfect Picture Book Fridays.
How to Make a Night
Written by Linda Ashman
Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Harper Collins Publishers, 2004
Suitable for: Ages preschool to 3
Theme/Topic: Bedtime, Night, Day, Rhyme
Opening: Bike blew a tire.
Boat sprang a leak.
Scooter’s in the gutter.
Sneaker’s in the creek.
Brief Synopsis: I tried to sum this up then re-read part inside cover. Why reinvent the wheel? Here it is: “In this fantastic bedtime tale, a hectic day is put to bed, and a peaceful starry night fills the sky so everyone can rest. Linda Ashman and Tricia Tusa have created a magical world in which the sun and the moon cooperate with a resourceful young girl who is ready to put her busy day behind her and settle down to a good night’s sleep — so she can wake up to another exciting day tomorrow!”
Link to Resources: The Under the Golden Apple Tree blog has a post on how to Make a Bedtime Lessons Book for Your Preschooler. I’m making one of these. I shared some bedtime resources in this PPBF for Time for Bed.
Why I chose this book: I signed Enzo up this week for the summer reading program at the library. He ran around like a crazy person or toddler — whatever term you prefer — as I grabbed books off the shelf. I enjoy Linda Ashman’s books. Since I was limited to the A and B author shelves, I grabbed a couple of Ashman’s books. We’re going through a phase where a certain Mr. No doesn’t really enjoy going to bed. So, I really liked this story, because I wish he wanted to go to bed and rest.
The Perfect Picture Book Fridays series will take a break from June 22 to Aug. 31. I will take a break on Fridays too. I’ll still be lurking around the Internet, revising the memoir, working on class assignments, writing my picture book manuscripts and living.
So, I’m down to Thankful Thursdays for the summer. You can fill up your child’s summer reading list by looking at the list of great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
That’s adorable Stacy. Nice pick to leave for the summer. I can just imagine you pulling books off the shelf as Enzo whizzes around 🙂
Catherine, yes. He whizzes around.
I love the image of you racing around the library trying to snatch a few books before Enzo runs completely amok! Glad you managed – and to find such a good one! Linda Ashman is so talented. I haven’t read this one (yet!) but am so glad to add it to our list. Lots of kids benefit from great bedtime stories 🙂
Susanna, She is very talented.
Thanks Stacy. I took my three year old granddaughter to the library recently-lots of space to run, as you described. She is trying to give up naps but still isn’t ready to ‘rest’ in the evenings. It’s also hard with it being so light so late. I love seeing about this book, a good one to look for.
Linda, I sooo believe in naps. I hope they never go away. I’m sure that’s not in my future, but a girl can dream.
Your description of your library visit is hilarious. I frequently am confined to W-Z, while my children play educational games on the computers. That’s why I end up putting so many books on hold. It’s so much easier to grab and go.
Kirsten, our toys and games are near the W-Z. I may be confined there on my next trip.
Based on the page you quoted above, this book sounds delightful!
Karen, It is delightful.
As someone who always hated to go to bed in case I missed something, I find the idea of this book sooooo good. Put all the wonderful experiences of the day to bed, so that new wonderful experiences can happen tomorrow. Perhaps I still need this book…
Thanks, Stacy! Your contributions to PPBF are always a delight.
Beth, He’s really hating to miss things. Today, it’s during naptime.
As I just said on Karen’s FB link to this post, it’s hard to believe that none of us will be getting a Perfect Picture Book ready for next week — this book is the perfect way to end this session of PPBF while looking forward to the fall session.
Beth, I know. The break probably comes at a good time for me. I’ll just need to keep all my good summer reads ready to post.
As weird as it sounds, I try to avoid the library on actual storytime days. I find it too stressful. It is so much easier to keep track of my kids when the library is less chaotic. Thanks so much for this recommendation, it looks great!
Amy D. I totally agree! Ours is packed on storytime days.
Great choice for Enzo! I wonder if he’s afraid he’ll miss something — my daughter did. She wanted to be part of the action.
Patricia, He often uses his favorite word (No) in reference to the nap or bedtime question. I try to make it a statement, but he knows to say no to any sentence containing those words.
Enzo sounds like a real cutie, a real boy…. I laughed when I read your post and can imagine him racing around.
The book is delightful and we must have had similar thoughts in mind as mine is also about nighttime and sleeping…. in away! Will still keep in touch popping back here.
Thanks Diane. I’m still behind with reading through the last list.
A Linda Ashman book I haven’t read? The HORROR! Thanks for sharing!
Julie, Yes. The HORROR.
Very catchy opening! I do love tat Susanna has us giving the opening lines to each book, as I study them very carefully to learn good hooks!
Joanna, Yes. The opening is fun. The illustrations are a neat collage of photos, etc. too.
I love the sound of this one! It’s so hard to settle into sleep, especially in the summer when it’s light for so many hours and there is so very much to do. The book that Miranda Paul posted this week has the same illustrator – her work is beautiful.
Heather, the longer days are both a blessing and an enemy at bedtime. I’m still making my way throught th elist. The illustrator is great.
This sounds like a cute book. I love the line “Sneaker’s in the creek.”! Poor kid – he/she only has one shoe now. 😉
Erik. A true sign of a fun day of play to have only one shoe.
I’d also like to learn how to put a hectic day to bed! I’ll be heading to the library in a bit with this on my list!
Julie, Me too.
Stacy, I so appreciate having you as a resource for gift buying. I love giving books as gifts to children but when I veer away from the classics, I haven’t a clue! This looks like a great one.
Jean, the PPBF list is a great resource. I’m relying on it for many of our summer reading list picks.
Putting hectic days to bed has become my specialty! Ha. I am going to love this book, Stac! It looks truly awesome. I trust reviews so much. The voice in this story sounds lovely. (((hugs)))
Thanks Robyn.
That opening hooked me completely. My oldest is in chapter books, but he may like to read it to the younger one.
Enjoy your summer: a perfect time to break from blogging to some degree.
Susan, Yes. I’m taking a bit of a break. A lot going on this summer.
I love the lyrical sound of the opening. It makes me want to pick up the book!
~Debbie
The opening is great Debbie. Linda is a master of rhyme.
Sounds like a book my grandson would love!
Nancy, I hope he will enjoy it.
Stacy…thanks for another wonderful story that might hopefully encourage little ones to go to bed. 🙂 Resource looks great also! Enjoy a little time off with Enzo…will you be at the SCBWI meeting on Sunday? I am planning to go because I missed the last one and I love the critique time. 🙂 Hope I see you there.
Vivian, Thanks. I’m emailing you about Sunday.
Oh this looks and sounds adorable. Love the cover too!
Also, thanks so much for the thank you card! That was so sweet of you!!!