Today I’m sharing two perfect picture books to read at bedtime. The first is brand new, and the second – well, we’re tossing confetti and passing out cupcakes to celebrate its One Year Birthday!
Themes: nature, bedtime, poetry
Themes: nature, bedtime, poetry
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by Mary Casanova; illus. by Jordan Sundberg
32 pages; ages 0-8
Univ of Minnesota Press, 2026
It’s time to sing a lullaby,
a pine bough swaying lullaby,
a lady’s slipper lullaby …
a lullaby for you.
From loons to foxes, bear cubs to peepers, this book takes readers on a gentle evening walk through the Northwoods. The poetry is rhythmic, soft, and soothing, and too soon the walk ends and we’re being tucked into bed.
What I like about this book: I picked up this book because of the nature connection: Northwoods animals! That would have been enough, but there’s the lyrical language. The words beg to be sung to a lullaby tune – and indeed, when you go to the publisher’s website there is a link to listen to it. Then there is the art! Jordan Sundberg’s collage illustrations capture the softness of a lullaby, and the stillness of a frog pond as spring unfurls. She used a combination of physical and digital tools – scanning her watercolor washes, ink splatters, and even fabrics (for the texture) into her computer and then layering them into the illustration.
This Is Not My Bed!
by Jennifer Dupuis; illus. by Carol Schwartz
32 pages; ages 4-8
Tilbury House Publishers, 2025
by Jennifer Dupuis; illus. by Carol Schwartz
32 pages; ages 4-8
Tilbury House Publishers, 2025
Time for bed. Here is my polka-dot pillow, but what is under my blanket? Sharp sticks, mushy mud, loads of logs…
No thank you! That is not MY bed! Page by page this young camper looks at different styles of beds, from a spider web to an eagle’s nest, from a coyote den to a woodchuck’s burrow. Jennifer Dupuis provides lists of bedding materials, some crunchy, some hard as a rock until our camper finally finds a happy ending.
What I like about this book: After reading – and loving – Jennifer’s earlier book, This is Not My Lunchbox, I knew I had to read this one. I was not disappointed. The fact is, no matter what sort of animal we are, we need a safe and cozy spot to sleep. I like how Jennifer compares different nesting/sleeping spots and shows that what’s comfy for one animal may not be the right place for another. And I love the attitude that shines through with the repeated statement: “I will NOT sleep here! This is not my bed!” I also like the way she uses the page turn to give kids an opportunity to guess who might sleep in such a spot before revealing it on the next spread. A fun good-night read with a dash of science.
Beyond the Books:
Listen to the Northwoods Lullaby, sung as a lullaby and listen to Jordan talk about creating illustrations at the University of Minnesota Press website.
Go to a spot of nature for an evening listening walk. What animals do you hear? In my neighborhood this month we were hearing birds singing their good night songs, and night-active frogs (and owls) singing out their “hello, we’re here!” greetings.
What kind of bed do you sleep in? Write down a list of the materials that make up your bed.
Create a collage to show your nesting/sleeping spot, or that of an animal living in your area.
Today we’re joining Perfect Picture Book Friday. It’s a wonderful gathering where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review copies provided by the publishers.
No thank you! That is not MY bed! Page by page this young camper looks at different styles of beds, from a spider web to an eagle’s nest, from a coyote den to a woodchuck’s burrow. Jennifer Dupuis provides lists of bedding materials, some crunchy, some hard as a rock until our camper finally finds a happy ending.
What I like about this book: After reading – and loving – Jennifer’s earlier book, This is Not My Lunchbox, I knew I had to read this one. I was not disappointed. The fact is, no matter what sort of animal we are, we need a safe and cozy spot to sleep. I like how Jennifer compares different nesting/sleeping spots and shows that what’s comfy for one animal may not be the right place for another. And I love the attitude that shines through with the repeated statement: “I will NOT sleep here! This is not my bed!” I also like the way she uses the page turn to give kids an opportunity to guess who might sleep in such a spot before revealing it on the next spread. A fun good-night read with a dash of science.
Beyond the Books:
Listen to the Northwoods Lullaby, sung as a lullaby and listen to Jordan talk about creating illustrations at the University of Minnesota Press website.
Go to a spot of nature for an evening listening walk. What animals do you hear? In my neighborhood this month we were hearing birds singing their good night songs, and night-active frogs (and owls) singing out their “hello, we’re here!” greetings.
What kind of bed do you sleep in? Write down a list of the materials that make up your bed.
Create a collage to show your nesting/sleeping spot, or that of an animal living in your area.
Today we’re joining Perfect Picture Book Friday. It’s a wonderful gathering where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review copies provided by the publishers.
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