Week 1: Goodnight Moon

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This picture book is a classic. A bunny (representing a child) leads the reader through a familiar process, bedtime. The poetry and pictures come together to tell a story of a typical child going through their night time routine. Many parents and children can relate because they too, deal with the avoidance of going to bed. It’s a sweet and funny book that will help calm down children as they get ready to drift off to sleep. Clement Hurd has created vibrant and also calming illustrations to better visualize the bunny’s bedtime process. Even though this could be used with children of many ages, ages 2 through 7 would be the target audience.

APA Reference:

Brown, M. W. (1947). Goodnight moon. New York, NY: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.

My Impressions:

I absolutely love this book. I wish I would have had it when I was a child. It is so very calming. The poetry, the pictures, and the whole routine of the bunny saying “Goodnight” to everything in the room is why it is a favorite, still today after 65 years. One of my favorite parts is when the bunny runs out of things to say “Goodnight” to and has to tell the stars and air and noises everywhere “Goodnight,” too. It still calms me today and puts a smile on my face when I read it. It is a must have for every personal library and for every school and public library.

Professional Review:

“Good Night, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (1947).

Libraries are filled with children’s books that have several characters, detailed plots and mysterious animals, but not many that simply establish the peaceful mood of a younster’s bedtime ritual. In this landmark picture book, the illustrations but Clement Hurd alternate from brilliant color to calm black and white. The use of traditional nursery rhymes and fairy tale characters in the rhythmic text is equally charming. No wonder the appeal to both children and adults is as evident today as it was over 50 years ago. It is the premier example of a book that automatically generates the request, ‘Oh, please read it again!’”

Review Reference:

Livingston, N., & Kurkjian, C. (2003, September 1). [Review of the book Goodnight moon, by

M. W. Brown]. The Reading Teacher, 57(1), 100. Retrieved from http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: ages 2-7

This book can be used in elementary schools but is better suited for preschools or public library story times. Regardless, it could be used in a story time grouped with several other favorite bedtime stories. Because of its short length, it is perfect for children ages 2-7.

This book could be used in a display of favorite bedtime story books.