Bedtime for Mommy [Hardcover]

Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Author), LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 30, 2010 | Age Range: 3 - 5 years

When it's Mommy's bedtime, she begs her little girl --

Five more minutes?

Ok, but then brush your teeth!

But then Mommy wants another glass of water…another story…luckily this little girl is very patient!

A hilarious reversal of the classic bedtime routine in which a little girl puts Mommy (and then Daddy) to bed.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K—In this reversal of roles in the bedtime routine, a mother tries all the familiar stall tactics when her daughter announces, "Time for bed, Mommy!" She tries everything from a plea for five more minutes to a final drink of water and the door left slightly ajar. The story is told in short sentences that fit neatly into dialogue balloons. The perky watercolor and ink cartoon-style illustrations on white backgrounds speak as clearly as the text. Some pages are wordless and allow readers to tell the story themselves. Little girls in particular will love sharing this bedtime story with their mothers.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

From Booklist

Eschewing the typical scenario of readying children for bed, Rosenthal tickles toddlers’ funny bones with a role-reversal tale in which the child gets Mommy ready for bed. Working at her computer, papers askew, a harried and bespectacled mom pleads for five more minutes. Wearing a self-satisfied smile, the freckled child times her and then pushes her up the stairs to her bath. Pham cleverly submerges Mom in a bubble bath while the determined child scrubs her toes. Mom then gives thumbs-down to several attempts at picking tomorrow’s outfit, exuberantly bounces into bed, bargains unsuccessfully for two books tonight (they curl up with Anna Karenina), and begs for a glass of water. Watching the clocks will provide added amusement (it takes one hour to get Mom tucked in, and then it’s Dad’s turn). With the entire text in speech bubbles and humorous, uncluttered watercolor paintings surrounded by lots of white space, this switcheroo book is a perfect bedtime choice. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Patricia Austin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 5 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (March 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599903415
• ISBN-13: 978-1599903415
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Personal Hygiene

More About the Author

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is a person who likes to make things.

Some things she likes to make:
Children's books.
Grown-up books.
Short films.
Salads.
Connections with the universe.
Something out of nothing.
Wishes.

According to The New York Times, Amy's award-winning children's books "radiate fun the way tulips radiate spring: they are elegant and spirit-lifting." Her 20+ books for children include !, WUMBERS, PLANT A KISS, LITTLE PEA, SPOON, THE WONDER BOOK, COOKIES: BITE-SIZE LIFE LESSONS, AND DUCK!RABBIT!.

As for her adult work, Amazon named ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AN ORDINARY LIFE one of the top 10 memoirs of the decade.

A long-time contributor to NPR, she is currently the host and creator of Mission Amy K R.com produced by Chicago Public Radio.

Her short films include The Beckoning of Lovely, 17 Things I Made, ATM Always Trust Magic, The Kindness Thought Bubble, and The Money Tree.

Amy lives with her family in Chicago and online at whoisamy.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from [...] May 8, 2010

By www.firrkids.com

Format:Hardcover

I love when a book has a cute little twist that really makes it funny. That's exactly what's happening here, and kids will find this to be a hilarious switcheroo. The parent and the child are trading places, with the daughter being the one responsible for getting her mom to bed. The funniest part is how perfectly her mom plays the role of child! Parents will instantly identify with the typical bedtime behaviors displayed.

When the clock strikes 7:30, the mother is still working away at her desk. We know someone is diligently monitoring the time for her, as a little ponytailed head pops around the corner and announces "Bedtime!" But, but, Mom isn't ready for bed yet, and she frantically shuffles papers and taps on her keyboard. Her request of an additional "five more minutes?" is reluctantly granted, but then it really will be bedtime, no excuses.

Once the little girl pries her mom away from her computer and marches her up the stairs, there is the usual bedtime routine to navigate. She has to oversee that teeth are properly brushed, a bath is drawn and fresh pajamas are produced. After that, she must help choose an outfit for the next morning. The first three selections are met with head shakes and looks of disdain until the fourth one meets with her charge's approval. Then it's onto to book reading in bed, one last drink of water and a discussion over how far the door needs to be cracked open for proper light.

Finally, she gets her mom all tucked in for the night. As she heads down the stairs, she stops and says "Phew!" Yup, that pretty much captures exactly how I feel as a mom at the end of each night! Reading this will make you chuckle with recognition and have your kids wanting to try putting you to bed!... Thanks to Amy Krouse Rosenthal for another great book to add to our collection. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bedtime for mommy May 11, 2010

By Moe

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought this was the cutest book I have ever read. My granddaughter just loves it and wants me to read it to her over and over. I would recommend it to anyone with children. Also, it is short enough that the child does not lose interest.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best bedtime books July 17, 2010

By Dollymin

Format:Hardcover

I liked it so much I had to say it aloud :-) .
A fun book to read with your kids. the illustrations are awesome. More pictures, less words ... but the story says it all. Most parents and kids and relate to the bedtime routines at home.
We love reading this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Book for My Wife and Daughter April 21, 2011

By Dean Alvarado

Format:Hardcover

I saw and read this book in the store. While reading it, I couldn't stop giggling and thinking about the nightly "dance" that my wife and daughter regularly go through. I had to buy it and share it with them, especially since the reading of a bedtime story is the most important part of their night time ritual.

I really enjoyed and laughed at the illustrations showing the Mommy's bath toys (bath salts, oils, and a razor) and her bedtime story (Anna Karenina).

I can't wait to get home and give them this book for tonight's festivities.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter gets a "kick" out of this book! August 23, 2010

By Janesdoe

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My 3 yr. old daughter is a difficult child to get to go to bed. I bought her this book to give her a new "insight" for bedtime. She loves it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes bedtime fun. August 17, 2010

By Kansas Mom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My two-year-old loves this book. She stares at the pages in awe as the little girl puts mommy to bed. She giggles each time we get to the last page. During the day, she wants to pretend she's putting me to bed. A delightful story with adorable illustrations. A fun make-believe story for both parent and child.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Offers a flip on the normal parent/child relationship when it tells what happens when kids put parents to bed May 19, 2010

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Hardcover

BEDTIME FOR MOMMY receives LeUyen Pham's drawings and offers a flip on the normal parent/child relationship when it tells what happens when kids put parents to bed. Now it's Mommy who's asking about staying up five more minutes or asking for help in choosing tomorrow's outfit in this gentle story of role reversal.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome June 3, 2013

By Catherine Johnson

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had checked out this book at the library for my granddaughter to read and when it was time to turn it back in, she initially hid it and told me that she could not find the book so I decided to just buy it instead when I dropped the book off at the library.

My granddaughter was so excited when the books came in the mail.