Grandma's face tells her story

by Elaine McKay

illustrated by Lynne Bendoly

age range: 3 to 5 years old

eTreasures Publishing

At bedtime, while Grandma sings a lullaby, all the girl is really interested in is the story her face tells. Grandma has spectacular dark brown eyes, and freckles in her chin. And also two little dimples in her cheeks, and a twitchy nose. She even can move her eyebrows separately! All of this tells about when grandma laughs, sneeze, whistle and frowns. 

This is such a sweet story! The girl not only observes her grandma's facial expression marks, she loves them because they tell who her grandma is. Grandma is the referee in family soccer games, because she is very good at whistling through the gap between her front teeth. Grandma puffs her cheeks at the dentist to help the girl feel relaxed. Grandma's face is the best bedtime story. 

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour: Max at night

 

Reviews in Chalk is hosting today the Max at Night Blog Tour. I reviewed this book by Ed Vere for the first time nearly 5 months ago, and it is still a favorite bedtime story. It is so calming! I hope you give it a try and enjoy it too!

text and illustrations by Ed Vere

age range: 3 and up

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Max is just a sweet, little cat who wants to say good night to Moon before going to sleep. But Moon is nowhere to be seen. Max goes outside, climbs trees, buildings, and more. He asks the night, the hill and the rooftops where Moon is. Finally the wind blows the clouds away, and the night turns bright and beautiful with a big, wonderful moon. And Max is so sleepy...

This story is really cute, and Max is an adorable character. The slow pace, and the repetitiveness of the text makes it an ideal bedtime story. The illustrations are simple, but lovely, colorful enough without being bright, as I think a bedtime story needs to be.

Although the book is recommended for kids 3 years old and up, I would say younger readers will enjoy it too. My 19 months old son loved it.

I'll hug you more

by Laura Duksta

illustrations by Melissa Iwai

age range: 2 to 5 years old

Sourcebooks / Jabberwocky

There are so many opportunities during the day for a good hug! When the days starts, when we read a book, to say hello and to say goodbye, to say thank you and good night. And tomorrow we can find ever more opportunities for more hugs.

Flip sided book full of beautiful illustrations you feel like touching, and calming rhymed text. Ideal for a bedtime story, right before a huge hug. 

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Almost a full moon

by Hawksley Workman

illustrated by Jensine Eckwall

age range: 3 years old and up

Tundra Books - Penguin Random House Canada

It's a cold and wintry night. The almost full moon reflects in the snow making everything bright. A boy and his grandma are preparing soup in their cabin to fight the cold. There are sticks to pick, a fire to light, and vegetables to cut. Lots of soup are needed, since it is going to be shared with all the people they know, and all they don't.

This picture book is based on the lyrics of a Workman's song "Almost a Full Moon" from his holiday album with the same name. The rhymed text reads fluid and effortless, and the illustrations are delicate and cozy. Beautiful bedtime story.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Baby bear's not hibernating

by Lynn Plourde

illustrated by Teri Weidner

age range: up to 5 years old

Rowman and Littlefield Books

Baby Black Bear is planning to stay awake the who-o-o-o-o-le winter. To be prepared he asks his friends for smarts way to survive. How does owl stay awake all winter? What does moose eat when all the leaves are gone? How does hare keep himself warm? When the first snow comes Baby bear says goodbye to his parents and gets himself ready for the adventure. But the branch breaks when he tries to lie on it. And frozen twigs for dinner is not what he was expecting. He also is too big to fit in hare's burrow, nor he has the same thick fur for keeping him warm. Thankfully Papa bear is taking care of him from a safe distance.

Maybe taking a short nap before spring is not such a bad idea after all...

This is a cute bed time story. Any kid can relate with the fascinating idea of skipping sleep and staying awake the whole night, even it that means yawning endlessly. Baby bear is incredibly sweet. The beautiful illustrations make you want to touch the soft bear's fur, and to roll on the snow. At the end of the book there are a couple of pages with interesting facts about black bears to add some learning to the experience. We really enjoyed this book!

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I will always be happy to see you

by Ellen DeLange & Jenny Meilihove

age range: up to 4 or 5 years old

Clavis Books

It doesn't matter how much trouble the little doggy gets into, the girl is always happy to see him. Very cute story to let little kids know about their parents' unconditional love, while reading the dog's monkeyshines. Bright and beautiful pictures. An excellent bedtime story to go to sleep feeling loved.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The bear who couldn't sleep

by Caroline Nastro

illustrated by Vanya Nastanlieva

age range:

NorthSouth Books

It's winter and despite his mother and brothers sleep, Bear can't sleep. He watches the leaves fall, and the snow to cover everything, but he still can't sleep. He decides to look for someone to make him company, but all his neighbors are sleeping too. He walks, and walks until he arrives to the city that never sleeps, and that's is exactly what he needs! He visits museums and famous landscapes. He meets people and eats delicious food. He also gets sleepy... So he tries to sleep in a bus stop bench, in a corner at the museum and even in Central Park, but he can't. He comes back to snuggle with his mother and brothers to wait, eyes closed, for he spring to come.

Lovely illustrated bedtime story for those days when kids have lots of energy left and don't want to sleep. The book's pace slows down a little more each page, and at the end you fell like curl up among the bears to sleep. Another great addition to our bedtime collection.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Max at night

text and illustrations by Ed Vere

age range: 3 and up

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Max is just a sweet, little cat who wants to say good night to Moon before going to sleep. But Moon is nowhere to be seen. Max goes outside, climbs trees, buildings, and more. He asks the night, the hill and the rooftops where Moon is. Finally the wind blows the clouds away, and the night turns bright and beautiful with a big, wonderful moon. And Max is so sleepy...

This story is really cute, and Max is an adorable character. The slow pace, and the repetitiveness of the text makes it an ideal bedtime story. The illustrations are simple, but lovely, colorful enough without being bright, as I think a bedtime story needs to be.

Although the book is recommended for kids 3 years old and up, I would say younger readers will enjoy it too. My 19 months old son loved it.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.