Time for Bed [Board book]

Mem Fox (Author), Jane Dyer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997 | Age Range: 1 - 3 years

“It’s time for bed, little cat, little cat / So snuggle in tight, that’s right, like that.” This 1993 bedtime favorite from the Australian author Mem Fox and the illustrator Jane Dyer is now available in this small, square board book edition. Even the most reluctant snoozers will find themselves lulled by the repetitive rhythms, as the parent sheep, cat, snake, and fish implore their babies to get some shuteye: “It’s time for bed, little sheep, little sheep, / The whole wide world is going to sleep.” Dyer’s watercolor illustrations are bucolic and beautiful. A sweet, soothing lullaby.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

All the sleepy-eyed creatures in Mem Fox and Jane Dyer's sweet picture book, Time for Bed, may be inspiration enough for young readers to nod off to dreamland. But just in case, this charming gift set includes, in addition to a board-book edition of the popular book, a soothing ceramic nightlight depicting Mama and Baby sheep. ("It's time for bed, little sheep, little sheep, / The whole wide world is going to sleep.") Here is the perfect gift for a newborn, who will start out life in the coziest surroundings possible. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Filling each spread, Dyer's (illustrator of the Piggins books and of Baby Bear's Bedtime Book ) commanding yet gentle, large-scale watercolors are the key to the appeal of this bedtime lullaby. Fox ( Possum Magic ; Guess What? ) offers sweet but slim verse that bids good night to a selection of animals being cuddled and coddled by their mothers, all endearingly rendered at eye-level. The rhymed couplets have a pleasantly lilting rhythm, if an occasionally trite rhyme scheme: "It's time for bed, little sheep, little sheep, / The whole wide world is going to sleep." After viewing the various animals nodding off, youngsters will take their bedtime cue from a cherubic toddler, whose blond head falls into a pillow covered with golden stars as mother offers a hug and the text concludes: "The stars on high are shining bright-- / Sweet dreams, my darling, sleep well . . . / good night!" Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 - 3 years
  
• Board book: 28 pages
• Publisher: HMH Books; 1 edition (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152010661
• ISBN-13: 978-0152010669
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (231 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Sleep

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Precious book! May 25, 2002

By History_of_Art_Geek

Format:Hardcover

This darling bedtime story, so endearing will charm your youngster to sweet dreams night after night. Jane Dyer's watercolor illustrations depicting animals, and their offspring are OUTSTANDING. Each two-page spread features a different Mommy (or Daddy), in a suitable setting, preparing their "little one" for bed. For instance, the mice are portrayed at the base of a hallow tree, and the fish are deep at sea. The sweet, and simple text appears on the left side of the book, while each mimicking phrase begins with, "It's time for bed." Subtle and rhythmic, the beat is ideal for nighttime reading, "It's time for bed, little sheep, little sheep, the whole wide world is going to sleep." The book concludes with a Mommy tucking a toddler into bed, "The stars on high are shining bright, sweet dreams, my darling, sleep well, good night!" This is a precious bedtime book.

As an educational tool, children will learn to recognize the illustrated animals: mouse, goose, cat, calf, foal, fish, sheep, bird, bee, snake, pup, and deer. My son received the hardcover edition of "Time For Bed" as a baby gift, and I was so captivated by the artwork that the board book version was purchased as a supplement. One-year and up.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great bedtime story! October 28, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I bought this book for my son when he was about 8 months old. He is 21 months old now and this is still his favorite bedtime book. The pages flow together in a gentle rhyming pattern and the illustration is soft and pretty. My son loves seeing the adult and baby animals until the very end where there is a baby just like him. The first words in the book are "Go to sleep little mouse, little mouse..." and whenever I say these words MY little mouse gets a great big smile on his face and runs to get his book. In the middle of the book there is a Mommy and a baby bee and the Mommy says, "Go to sleep little bee, little bee. Yes, I love you and you love me." My son loves this part and always points to himself and to us when we read this part to him. This book shows little ones that all types of babies large and small need their sleep. I think I enjoy this book just as much as my son does and I would highly reccomend it to all parents. This is a must have in my opinion.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book November 2, 2001

By kristen shedd

Format:Paperback

Wonderful book!!!!! This is the first book that has truly captured my active 12 month old's attention. The rhyming is delightful and the illustrations are just beautiful. I was so impressed by the book and my daughter's reaction that I went and purchased another Mem Fox book. Great addition to any child's book collection!!!!!!