Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? [Hardcover]

Barney Saltzberg (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Bedtime rituals take a silly twist in this humorous read-aloud sure to get restless little ones ready for their good-night hug.

Cornelius P. Mud, do you know what time it is?

It's time for bed, and Cornelius P. Mud knows what that means — putting his toys away, brushing his teeth, putting his pajamas on, all the things we do every night. Right? Wrong! Bedtime at Cornelius's house is no ordinary event. Whether it's stuffing toys in the fridge or playing rodeo in the bathroom, this plucky piggy has his own ideas. So no, Cornelius isn't quite ready for bed — he's having too much fun!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–In this humorous title, the text is limited to typical bedtime questions such as, "Have you put your toys away?" and "Did you feed your fish?" Cornelius replies in the affirmative to each inquiry, but it is the art that tells the whole story. Through Saltzberg's acrylic-and-pencil illustrations, readers see that while the young pig did put his toys away, he put them in the refrigerator. Youngsters also see that the fish were fed, but they are nibbling on cookies instead of fish food. This book is sure to generate laughs from children and adults alike. Cornelius will be welcome in most libraries.–Kelley Rae Unger, Peabody Institute, MA

From Booklist

PreS. A time-for-bed tale gets a new twist as a little pig named Cornelius P. Mud works his way through his before-bed tasks. Mom has a series of questions:^B "Have you put your toys away?" "Did you feed your fish?" "Have you used the bathroom?"^B Cornelius answers "Yes!" to all, but sharp eyes will note that he is shoving his toys in the fridge, feeding cookies to the fish, and riding his broom horse while sitting on the toilet (lid down). But even after he has put on his pajamas and picked a good-night story (make that 10), when Mom asks him if he is ready for bed, he shouts, "No!" He hasn't gotten a hug. The last spread shows a big hug, indeed. The oversize pictures offer plenty of space for humor, and Saltzberg employs comedy to full advantage. Using acrylics and pencils, he has created a little pig with a sweet smile and a devilish gleam in his eye. Set against fruity background colors (lime, cantaloupe, tangerine), the simply drawn pigs play out their respective roles; kids will recognize them. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763623997
• ISBN-13: 978-0763623999
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.3 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BARNEY SALTZBERG is the author-illustrator of the successful Kisses series, Peekaboo, Blueberry!, Hi, Blueberry!, and Good Egg (Workman), as well as various picture books. He also writes and performs music for children.

www.barneysaltzberg.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from SherriAllen.com Reviews, June 11, 2005

By 

Sherri Allen "Editor, SherriAllen.com" (nc, usa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? (Hardcover)

"Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?," the latest children's storybook from author/illustrator Barney Saltzberg, takes readers through the zany bedtime routine of Cornelius P. Mud, a very silly pig.

The subject is a ritual all young children are familiar with, getting ready for bed. The spirited Cornelius, however, puts his own special twist on the bedtime routine. Sure, he puts his toys away -- in the refrigerator! Yes, he puts on his pajamas -- and his snorkel, and his rollerblades and his swimming pool float!

What really makes "Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?" funny is the way Saltzberg uses the illustrations to tell us the real story. The text is simple and straightforward, innocent enough. It's in the pictures that we catch on to Cornelius' antics and get to see the mischievous gleam in his eye.

"Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?" is a hilarious, vibrantly illustrated story. Read this to your children if you want them to fall asleep smiling. No matter how unhappy they are about having to go to bed, they won't be able to resist Cornelius' "charms."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my son's favorite., September 29, 2005

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M. Ye - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? (Hardcover)

My son enjoys reading since he was about 13 month old. He is now almost 21 month, and have more than 20 books. This is still one of his favorite ones. The best reward for my husband and me is that every time we turn to the page the little piggy hugs his mother, we get a bug from our son too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bella gets ready for bed., March 2, 2006

By 

CAROL DEMAUREGNE (Valley Glen, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed? (Hardcover)

My two year old granddaughter is reminded of all the things to do before bedtime.... then she gets a story! Very popular book.