Dry Days, Wet Nights (A Concept Book) [Paperback]

Maribeth Boelts (Author), Kathy Parkinson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: A Concept Book

"Sensible, exemplary, and nicely extended in appealing expressive illustrations; 'A Note for Parents' adds specifics about the prevalence of normal bed-wetting among preschoolers to the story's implicit advice for dealing with it."--Kirkus Reviews. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As the title intimates, this reassuring tale is aimed at bedwetters. Little Bunny (LB) doesn't want to wear diapers at night anymore. His mother explains that when his body is ready, he'll stay dry, but agrees to let him "see what happens." A round of "wet nights" ensues, through which LB's parents maintain their composure, assuring their tearful, discouraged offspring both through words and their calm reactions that he's perfectly normal and shouldn't worry. Sure enough, one morning LB finally wakes up dry, and he and his parents celebrate. Though slightly wordy, the text flows pleasantly, and Boelts's point is gently, rather than overbearingly, conveyed. Parkinson's pen-and-wash illustrations are filled with amusing touches (Mama Bunny shows up at LB's bedside in robe and--what else?--bunny slippers), and LB is particularly likable, a fetching hero for the aspiring diaper-free. Ages 4-6.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-Bunny has a difficult time trying to understand why his pajamas and bed are wet nearly every morning when he wakens. His parents help him through this "growing up" period by explaining that he will be dry-all night- when the time is right. And, of course, that time comes. A family outing for the day is in order as a celebration for Bunny's newfound pride and excitement. The watercolor illustrations portray a kind, loving family that is certain to be reassuring to the intended audience. Through a well-constructed story line, many young children will recognize themselves, and be reassured. The book encourages patience in an upbeat manner. A note in the front offers explanations and sound advice for anxious parents.
Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807517240
• ISBN-13: 978-0807517246
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Toilet Training
  • #99 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Toilet Training

More About the Author

Maribeth Boelts lives in Iowa with her family and has been writing for children for almost 20 years. Her most recent titles, "Those Shoes" and "Before You Were Mine" have won a number of awards. Her picture book, "Happy Like Soccer" will be published May, 2012. A former teacher, Maribeth enjoys meeting and encouraging kids to read and write. "It is, in equal parts, an enthralling and confusing quest trying to crack the code on what makes a child pull a book off the shelf and continue turning the page. Figuring out what makes that same child laugh, feel understood or inspired is what keeps this career so interesting. I am grateful for every reader."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Healing Salve, July 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dry Days, Wet Nights (Hardcover)

What I have to say is complex, yet simple. I was a bedwetter who had tried everything, my parents tried the best they could to help. I wet the bed until I was sixteen years old. I was unable to do sleepovers like other children. At sixteen and deeply emotionally scarred I stopped wetting and was still hurting from the years of embarrasment. At the age of 20 I was volunteering in a library and shelved this book. I read it at that time and I was somehow healed of my wounds. I have searched for it since in every book store and now I have found it, thank God for Amazon.com. I cannot wait for the oppurtunity to share this treasure with my children.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and Sensitive, November 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Dry Days, Wet Nights (A Concept Book) (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 3-1/2 year old daughter who, despite daytime potty training success, has not yet been able to stay dry all night consistently. Although we have always been comforting and encouraging, she is beginning to express frustration and disappointment in herself for not being able to stay dry through the night. This book was exactly what we needed.

The story is about Little Bunny (LB, for short), who really wants to stay dry all night but keeps waking up wet, confused, and sad. His parents are very supportive, telling him that when his body is ready, he will stay dry. By the end of the book, he does just that.

It's an adorable story, and a very sensitive treatment of the subject. My daughter was enthralled, and she smiled with delight when LB succeeded in staying dry all night.

I was really touched by the sensitivity with which LB's parents handled the situation, especially when they said LB didn't need to go back to wearing diapers since, "We don't mind washing your sheets in the morning if you don't mind changing your pajamas in the middle of the night." There was a lesson in that for me as well. After several months of doing extra laundry, I bought a package of training pants for my daughter. She was really disappointed, since she had long since graduated to big-girl underpants, but she reluctantly agreed to wear them. After reading the book to her tonight, I decided to back off on that and keep trying.

I know I'm not alone in feeling helpless when my child is unable to keep herself dry at night. This book offers a simple, sensitive way to reassure your child (and yourself) that this, too, shall pass.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Only for *serious* bedwetters, January 13, 2006

By 

Boofee "If you're free to call your governmen... (Charleston, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dry Days, Wet Nights (A Concept Book) (Paperback)

I bought this book for my 4 year old, thinking it would help us to train him to stay dry at night. In actuality, it is for children dealing with the stigma of bedwetting. The book emphasizes how it is OK to wet the bed and OK for Mom to constantly change the sheets and wash the PJs. It was not what I expected...I think it would be good for a child who is having serious psychological damage due to bedwetting, but not for a 4 or 5 year old.