Good Night, God Bless (Henry Holt Young Readers) [Hardcover]

Susan Heyboer Okeefe (Author), Hideko Takahashi (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Henry Holt Young Readers

Goodnight, God bless
Our town at rest,
Which counts each person
As a guest.

At the close of the day, the air cools, lights dim, and animals big and small settle down to sleep. Inside houses, children perform nighttime rituals before snuggling up in bed to say their prayers.

Susan Heyboer O'Keefe's gentle text, together with Hideko Takahashi's tender pictures, move through the many familiar places and faces of a child's world, blessing each one for another day. With an emphasis on the security of home, this is a picture book that celebrates the love of family and belonging with graceful simplicity.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-A young boy saying his prayers at sunset blesses the world, the moon, animals, his town, house, family, friends, and self in short, rhyming verse. Boldly colored acrylic cartoon illustrations do a wonderful job of portraying the people and places mentioned. As night falls, the child's eyes shut and the stars and moon light the dark sky above him. This is a soothing "good night" read-aloud for adults to share with young children. Other than a reference to "church," this is a universal bedtime prayer.
Shelley Woods, Boston Public Library, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The good-night story becomes prayerful in this simple yet pleasing book. "Good night, God bless / Our world at rest, / each hillside dark / and evening dressed." A series of scenes in nighttime colors depicts a young boy as he and his family, the animals outside, and the town itself get ready for bed. Some of the rhyming couplets work better than others, but young children will respond to the strong, simple shapes of the art and the sentiments expressed. A nice way to bring God into good night. Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805060081
• ISBN-13: 978-0805060089
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,251,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Coming this October is Susan Heyboer O'Keefe's adult debut novel, FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER, a tale of violence, passion, revenge, and redemption that continues the dark story of Mary Shelley's creature. Susan's first title was the bouncy, best-selling counting book ONE HUNGRY MONSTER. Sandwiched between these two very different books are twenty years of bunnies, eggplants, cemeteries, nuns, mysteries, comedies -- and more monsters.

A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Susan grew up in a town so small that not even people in the next town over had heard of it. (Amazing but true.) She now lives in another small town, which a visitor from Manhattan once described as the "end of the world." Since you might be eaten by bears trying to find it, she recommends that you visit her at her bear-free website at www.susanheyboerokeefe.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book Ever!, February 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Good Night, God Bless (Henry Holt Young Readers) (Hardcover)

I loved this book! Especially the beautiful illustrations. The colors and the unusual perspectives are so interesting. I recommend it highly!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful bedtime book, July 30, 2001

By 

childwrite "childwrite" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Good Night, God Bless (Henry Holt Young Readers) (Hardcover)

What a wonderful bedtime story! The lovely, rhyming verse and supporting illustrations provide a comforting, evocative,and beautiful prelude to sleep.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, October 4, 2011

By 

south81 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Good Night, God Bless (Henry Holt Young Readers) (Hardcover)

I read this book to my three kids when they were little and loved it. The words are sweet and the pictures are beautiful. I wanted to purchase for a friend for their new baby and was disappointed to find it out of print but delighted to have found it on Amazon. You won't be disappointed if you purchase!