69. A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Bibliographic Citation:

Na, Il Sung. A Book of Sleep. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2009. 24 p. ISBN 978-0375862236.

Awards/Selection Lists:
Starred Review, Booklist
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Starred Review, School Library Journal

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
An owl watches as the other animals around him go to sleep for the night.

Personal Reaction:
Beautiful illustrations and gentle text shows the perspective that an owl, who is nocturnal, has of the other animals as they sleep through the night. The owl observes the places and ways that the other animals sleep. He notices that some animals sleep standing up and that fish even sleep with their eyes open and continue moving as they sleep. The use of texture and almost chalk-like hues creates a dreamy state, which encourages sleep.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-6 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Sleeping, nocturnal animals

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Children are invited to participate in identifying animals and can be encouraged by the reader to answer questions about the ways in which animals sleep.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.


Print Awareness:
The text of this book appears in small, white print against the dark background of the night sky.


Print Motivation: 
The combination of the soft illustrations and gentle text make this a good book for a bedtime reading, which children will enjoy.


Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book is based on the identification of animals and the places and ways in which they sleep.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.ilsungna.com/home.htm

66. The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Bibliographic Citation:
Underwood, Deborah. The Quiet Book. Illustrated by Renata Liwska. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. 32 p. ISBN 978-0547215679.

Awards/Selection Lists:
ALA Children's Notable Book, 2011
School Library Journal Starred Review
Publisher's Weekly Best Books, 2010

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Different types of "quiet" are portrayed through soft illustrations and gentle text.

Personal Reaction:
The beautiful, matte illustrations combine with simple text that expresses emotions behind different situations that animal friends experience quiet. From secrets, to hide-and-seek, to storytime, and bedtime, all different types of quiet situations are explored. The illustrations show the emotions and facial expressions of the animals during each experience. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Quiet, emotions, animals, friendship, self-control

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are encouraged through simple text and illustrations that incite participation.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.


Print Awareness:
The text of this book is simple and placed at the bottom of the pages. The font is small and simple, and the color of the text changes from brown to white as needed against the softly shaded illustrations.


Print Motivation: 
This book, with its soft-hued illustrations and story that young children can identify with, makes a good story for children and parents to share before bedtime, or other quiet moments. Children will also enjoy exploring this book on their own.


Vocabulary:
The vocabulary used in this book centers around experiences which require quiet behavior. This book provides a stepping off point for parents to have conversations about the importance of quiet when it is called for in certain situations.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.deborahunderwoodbooks.com
Illustrator website: http://www.renataliwska.com/

61. Moon Child by Nadia Krilanovich

Bibliographic Citation:
Krilanovich, Nadia. Moon Child. Illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. New York, NY: Tricycle Press, 2010. 32 p. ISBN 978-1582463254.

Awards/Selection Lists:

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Three animal babies of the night play with the moon before drifting off to sleep with their families.

Personal Reaction:
The soft illustrations and simple text tell the story from the perspective of three nocturnal animal babies who "play" with the moon as is hangs in the sky above them. The illustrations are from a perspective that a child might have of the moon "following" them. The gentle text makes this a nice bedtime story for young children.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Bedtime, nocturnal animals, night sky, perspective, families

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are modeled through simple text that provides the opportunity for dialogic reading experiences. 

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed in white font over a dark background on each page, drawing attention to the connection between the text and the illustrations.

Print Motivation: 
This book provides the familiar experience of seeing the moon as something that is "touchable" for young children. The familiarity of the subject matter combines with the soft illustrations and gentle text to create a book that children will enjoy choosing as a bedtime story.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary of this book deals with the night sky and the perspective of the moon by the different animals.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official author website
Illustrator website: http://elizabethsayles.blogspot.com/

59. The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson

Bibliographic Citation:
Swanson, Susan Marie. The House in the Night. Illustrated by Beth Krommes. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2008. 40 p. ISBN 978-0618862443.

Awards/Selection Lists:
Caldecott Medal, 2009
Booklist Starred Review
School Library Journal Starred Review
Kirkus Reviews Starred Review
Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Simple text combines with black, white, and gold illustrations that tell the story of a cozy house from sundown to bedtime.

Personal Reaction:
The use of black and white scratchboard art is combined with golden accents to portray a house as night comes. The text is simple and builds upon itself in a circular fashion. From a golden key, the reader enters the house with a child and her parents, and begins the nightly ritual of preparing for bed. The beauty of the night sky outside the house is shown through the illustrations, as well. The moon and the stars provide light inside the house as the child sleeps, and different aspects of life are highlighted in gold to symbolize the different things within the house that provide "light" to life.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 4-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Nighttime, light, home, bedtime, sleeping

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Children are invited to participate in the narration of this story through simple text that builds upon itself in a circular pattern.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.


Print Awareness:
The text is represented in simple, black font which appears in the white spaces on each page. This simple method draws the eye to the printed text.
   

Print Motivation: 
The beauty of this book invites children to look for details on each page, and encourages children to revisit the book. This is a book that children will enjoy reading together with parents as part of their own bedtime routine.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book represents bedtime rituals and the beauty of nighttime.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/aifolder/aipages/ai_s/swanson.html
Illustrator website: http://www.bethkrommes.com/

52. How Do You Make a Baby Smile? by Philemon Sturges

Bibliographic Citation:
Sturges, Philemon. How Do You Make a Baby Smile?. Illustrated by Bridget Strevens-Marzo. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2007. 24 p. ISBN 978-0-06-076072-4. 

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Methods for playing with a baby in order to get a reaction are represented through animals and their babies, and then back to a human baby playing with his mother.

Personal Reaction:

This simple book relates the play activities that animal parents engage in with their young, and then brings the story back to a human baby playing with his mother before bedtime. The animals in the story are then revealed to be the toys that belong to the baby. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Playing with baby, animals, bedtime

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.


Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are supported through a question, answer format of this book.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is addressed through simple, rhyming text.

Print Awareness:
Print awareness is promoted through simple text printed on each page, supported by illustrations that match the text. 

Print Motivation: 
This book, with rhyming text, and lively, colorful illustrations, is an enjoyable book to read with young children at bedtime.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with words relating to how animal parents play with their children, and then relates back to a human baby and mother playing together before bedtime.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official author website
Illustrator website: http://www.bridgetstrevens.com/

50. Tell Me About Your Day Today by Mem Fox

Bibliographic Citation:
Fox, Mem. Tell Me About Your Day Today. Illustrated by Lauren Stringer. New York, NY: Beach Lane Books, 2012. 40 p. ISBN 978-1416990062. 

Awards/Selection Lists:
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
A boy and his stuffed animals enjoy a bedtime ritual which includes the recounting of the events of the day. 

Personal Reaction:
Mem Fox uses traditional language, paired with soft illustrations, to tell the story of a young boy who loves the rituals of bedtime. The boy and his stuffed animals take turns telling about their day, until they share a hug, and drift off to sleep.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 4-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Retelling the events of the day, bedtime rituals, turn-taking 

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are modeled by the main character in this book as he takes turns recounting the events of the day with each of his stuffed animals. The format for retelling the events of the day remains the same for each of the stuffed animals, as well as for the little boy, in a repeated series of lines each time. 

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is modeled through repeated rhyming text.

Print Awareness:
Each line of text is printed in white, on a dark blue background, in position around each of the illustrations in order to draw attention to the connection between the illustrations and the printed text on each page.

Print Motivation: 
The soft illustrations and gentle bedtime story make this a book that children will enjoy embedding into their own bedtime ritual each night.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book is connected to the repeated line spoken to each of the animals and the boy recounting the events of the day ("the who, the what, the why, and the way").



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.memfox.net/welcome.html
Illustrator website: http://www.laurenstringer.com/Home.html

48. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell

Bibliographic Citation:

Waddell, Martin. Owl Babies. Illustrated by Patrick Benson. Candlewick Press, 1996. 22 p. ISBN 978-1564029652. 

Awards/Selection Lists:

Format Examined:
Board book

Annotation:
Three little owls are left on their own while their mother goes in search of food.

Personal Reaction:
This book works through many emotions through a format that children can understand. When Owl Mother leaves the nest to search for food for her owl babies, the baby owls awaken to find that she is gone. The three owls work together to try to figure out where their other has gone, while also encouraging each other not to worry or be afraid. When all three begin to worry, they close their eyes, and wish Mother Owl would come home, and she does, which delivers a strong message to young children who worry about separation from their parents.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Separation anxiety, trust, parent/child relationship, siblings 

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
The opportunity for children to participate in the narration of this book is provided through modeling, as well as through familiarity of the repeated line, "I want my mommy!", which children may recite as it is recited repeatedly.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of this book is printed in varying pastel shades on the dark background of each page, calling attention to the text.

Print Motivation: 
This book makes a good choice for bedtime reading together, and also provides a positive lesson for children who may feel anxiety about separating from their parents. Children may choose this book for a parent to read again due to its positive message and cute owl illustrations.

Vocabulary:
The vocabulary in this book deals with the types of food that owls might eat, as well as descriptions of the owls' habitat in a tree in the forest.

Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official website

42. Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy by Denise Fleming

Bibliographic Citation:
Fleming, Denise. Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, 2010. 32 p. ISBN 0805081267.

Awards/Selection Lists:
Booklist Starred Review

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
Sleepy animals are introduced at bedtime, along with the repeated phrase, "sleepy, oh, so sleepy", until a human baby appears as part of a big world of sleeping babies at the end.

Personal Reaction:

This book is a naturally calming story and is perfect to read at bedtime. The repeated refrain connects all of the sleeping babies together, animal and human alike, all across the planet. Denise Flemings' pulp paper art works well in combination with the soothing text to create a book that will help lull children to sleep as it is read. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 18 months-3 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Bedtime, animals, sleeping

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Children are invited to softly participate in reciting the refrain "sleepy, oh so sleepy" after each animal is introduced.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed in black, simple text, drawing attention to the connection between the illustrations and the words on the page.

Print Motivation: 
Soothing text and illustrations make this book work well as a bedtime tradition that children will enjoy.

Vocabulary:
Words that are introduced through the story are connected to different animals in the story.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
http://www.denisefleming.com/

36. David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon

Bibliographic Citation:

Shannon, David. David Gets in Trouble. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 2002. 32 p. ISBN 978-0439050227.

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Paperback

Annotation:

David gets into trouble over and over, but always has an excuse, until he goes to bed, and realizes that he should apologize for the things he has done.

Personal Reaction:

This book provides a good lesson for young children about taking responsibility for their mistakes. David repeatedly denies any wrong doing as he gets into trouble over and over throughout the day. He makes the realization at the end that he should apologize, and is able to go to sleep at the end with a clear conscious.  

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 3-7 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Personal responsibility, apologizing, telling the trouble

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Narrative skills are modeled through the reading of the simple text on the page. As children become more familiar with the book, they may be able to become involved in the telling of the story.


Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of the story is in font that is hand-drawn and large, which calls attention to the print on each page.

Print Motivation: 
This book is fun to read, as some of the things that David does are funny. David is a likable character, and teaches a lesson at the end. The artwork and hand-drawn words make this an enjoyable book for preschoolers.

Vocabulary:
Vocabulary can be supported through the dialogic reading of this book. Words concerning personal responsibility can be highlighted.



Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official author website

29. I Love You As Much... by Laura Krauss Melmed

Bibliographic Citation:

Krauss Melmed, Laura. I Love You As Much.... Illustrated by Henri Sorensen. New York, NY: Tupelo Books, 1993. 22 p. ISBN 978-0688159788.

Awards/Selection Lists:

None

Format Examined:
Board book

Annotation:

A mother expresses her love for her baby through rhyming text that compares her love to the love that different animal mothers have for their children. 

Personal Reaction:

Beautiful painted illustrations accompany a lullaby-type story that a mother shares with her baby as the baby drifts off to sleep. The text is written in rhyme that is poetry-like, and is accompanied by soft, painted illustrations that look like mini portraits on each page. This book makes a nice bedtime book for a parent to read to their child.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 12 months to 4 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Bedtime, parent-child love, animals, motherhood

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Older children will be able to take part in naming the types of animals, and after hearing the story many times, should be able to help recite the rhyming text.

Phonological Awareness: 
The rhythm of the rhyming text supports phonological awareness.

Print Awareness:
The text is printed in spaces that do not take away from the illustrations; however, the font is also small, light, and ornate, making it more difficult for children to connect to the words of the story as they are read to them. 

Print Motivation: 
This book, with its sweet text and beautiful illustrations would be a book that children might choose over and over at bedtime. 

Vocabulary:
Vocabulary includes animal names, and words that each animal uses to describe their love. Young children may learn new words associated with each animal's description. 



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.laurakraussmelmed.com/
No official illustrator website

24. A Mouse Told His Mother by Bethany Roberts

Bibliographic Citation:
Roberts, Bethany. A Mouse Told His Mother. Illustrated by Maryjane Begin. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 1997. 32 p. ISBN 978-0316749824.

Awards/Selection Lists:
None

Format Examined:
Hard cover

Annotation:
A mouse continues to use his imagination as his mother leads him through the process of preparing for bed.

Personal Reaction:
A mouse is playing when his mother comes to get him ready for bed. The mouse continues to use his imagination from "going to the moon" while brushing his teeth; to "climbing" a snow covered mountain in his pajamas; to "hopping into an airplane" while getting into bed; until he finally "comes back home again", and drifts off to sleep. The illustrations are vivid and colorful, pairing the mouse's real actions with his imaginary ones. 

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:
Bedtime routine, imaginary play, mice, adventure

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
Children can become part of the narration of the story through describing what the mouse is doing in the illustrations.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The text of the story is printed in medium-sized font in alternating white or black in order to be seen on the pages. The illustrations play a more prominent role than the print on each of the pages, but is still visible, and connect back to the events in the illustrations.

Print Motivation: 
This book is an enjoyable bedtime read with beautiful illustrations that children will want to revisit.

Vocabulary:
Vocabulary included within the text of the story connects to objects used and actions taken during bedtime. 



Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.bethanyroberts.com/
Illustrator website: http://www.maryjanebegin.com/

9. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Bibliographic Citation:

Henkes, Kevin. Kitten's First Full Moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 2004. 40p. ISBN 978-0060588281

Awards/Selection Lists:

Caldecott Medal
ALA Notable Children’s Book
Charlotte Zolotow Award
Booklist Editors’ Choice
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon
Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Book Sense Top Ten Pick

Format Examined:

Hardcover

Annotation:

A little white kitten mistakes the moon for a big bowl of milk.

Personal Reaction:

An adorable white kitten sees the big, round moon in the sky and thinks that it is a bowl of milk. The kitten tries to lap it up, but cannot seem to reach it. Through a humorous progression of events, the kitten continues to "chase" the big bowl of milk, but cannot succeed in her quest. In the end, the kitten is rewarded with a real bowl of milk at home. The simplicity of the text paired with the black and white illustrations bring the story to life. The expressions on the kitten's face will make children chuckle. This book is a charming story that makes a perfect bedtime book for parents and children to share for many nights to come.

Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 2-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Patience, nighttime, humor



Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 
The repeated text, "Poor kitten" invite children to take part in telling the story as it becomes more familiar to them. The simple illustrations encourage children to retell the story in their own words.

Phonological Awareness: 
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:
The simplicity of the illustrations and bold black text on a white background calls attention to the text of the book as the story is told.

Print Motivation: 
This book tells a sweet and simple story which is perfect as a bedtime story. Children will also pick up this book to "read" on their own with simple illustrations to help them retell the story themselves.

Vocabulary:
This book prompts discussion between the reader and the listener as the kitten seeks the bowl of milk. One area of vocabulary that could be an area of focus is in defining the kittens expressions as she continues to meet new obstacles along the way.

Author/ Illustrator Website:

http://www.kevinhenkes.com.php5-25.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/