Here’s another entry into Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book series.
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| We eat. I mean read this one a lot at our house. |
Red Wagon Books Harcourt Inc., 1993
Suitable for: Ages 1 to 3
Theme/Topic: Bedtime, Rhyme
Opening: It’s time for bed, little mouse, little mouse,
Darkness is falling all over the house.
For writers, read how Mem Fox developed the idea for this book. She was preparing a workshop and came up with the first lines — then completed a first draft in one evening.
Brief Synopsis: (from back cover) Day is done. Darkness is falling everywhere, and little ones are getting sleepy. This gentle book, with its rhythmic verse and peaceful, loving illustrations, will lull toddlers whether it’s bedtime, nap time, or simply time for a snuggle.
Link to resources: Here is a lesson plan for grades pre-K-5. A few quick tips include having children list rhyming words and have children rewrite the story using other animals and their babies.
This site offers different ways to discuss the book through the vocabulary used in the book to the things the children do to get ready for bed. Here is an author study unit plan about Mem Fox.
Why I chose this book: I enjoy Mem Fox’s wonderful rhyme in this book. Sometimes the “rhythmic verse and peaceful, loving illustrations” soothe me more than my son at the end of a long day. I don’t like the snakes in the book, so I sometimes skip over those pages.
Please visit Susanna Leonard Hill to see the books and resources recommended by other writers.
Stacey, I love this book of Mem’s. We have it as a big book at school, and the young ones adore it at any time of day!
Oh, Stacy! I LOVE this book! You and I must have the same taste in books because every week you post something I love – Owl Babies, Goodnight Moon, this one…! Great choice! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 And may I say, that badge looks GORGEOUS!!!!!
@Joanna – I saw the big book info. Looks neat . It’s a fun read at anytime of the day.
@Susanna – Yes, we have the same taste. I’m beginning with a few classics around the house, but hope to branch out into some higher age ranges in 2012. I think the badge looks great.
Eating books like this shows great taste in reading material!
This looks lovely, and soothes me just from the cover illustration.
Stacy, beautiful selection today. I love the cover. I think it is important to have classics around — I still have some of my daughter’s packed away — new then, classic now. Great selection!
I love Mem Fox!!!!!!!!!!!!! This book has always been a favorite of ours. And our boys love the snakes. Ha! (((hugs)))
@Elizabethanne- Great taste in reading, but I realized I should probably quit using the “eaten books.” 🙂
@Patricia – Thanks.
@Robyn – I love Mem Fox too. I hope my boy doesn’t love snakes. I’ll be in trouble.
Stacy, I love all of Mem Fox’s books! Have you ever visited her website? You can listen to her read her books aloud. 🙂
I’ve only just discovered Mem Fox, I must check this one out. Thanks Stacy! And thanks so much for your note it arrived today 🙂
thanks for introducing me to Mem Fox. will have to check it out.
This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Picture Books. So glad it will have it’s honorary place in our PPBF!
Loved this Stacy. I am always in orr of those who can write in rhyme. Loved the beautiful cover to.
Wow! Great reviews for this book! I will have to add it to the (growing) list for the library. It sounds lovely. You can tell your copy was well loved 🙂
@Kelly – I visited the site for this report during nap time and didn’t listen. I’ll have to return when everyone is awake in the house.
@Catherine – We have a couple of her books. Glad it arrived.
@Darshana – I hope you enjoy her work.
@Julie – I know. It’s wonderful.
@thepatientdreamer-Mem Fox can really do it.
@Loni-Well loved is a great way to put it.
This seems like a fun book!
Erik 🙂
P.S. Enzo likes his books! 😉
Stacy, I love rhyming books for bedtime. I think they give a great little element of relaxation to my kids when I read them. The best part? They have all memorized these rhyming bedtime books and it’s so cute to hear my kids “read” them to me at such a young age. Thanks for sharing this book!
@Erik – Yes he does.
@A2Z – We’re not at the stage where he can “read” them yet, but we’ll get there.
Love this book for the kids! 🙂