One Minute till Bedtime

One Minute till Bedtime edited by Ken Nesbitt illustrated by Christoph Niemann’s (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) HB RRP US$14.99 AU $39.99
ISBN 9780316341219

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a 176 page substantial compilation of new poems for children by over 130 poets including Americans Jane Yolen, Jack Prelutsky, Jon Scieszka, Mary Ann Hoberman, and Lemony Snicket. It is compiled by former US Children’s Poet Laureate Nesbitt, himself a frequent contributor, and consists of “60-second” poems designed to send children ‘off to sleep.’
Presented with over 140 new poems by many of today’s most prominent children’s poets including Australians such as Edel Wignell, Meredith Costain, Janeen Brian and Mark Carthew, readers are treated to lyric nighttime reflections on topics as disparate as relationships with favorite pets or grandparents, beloved “toasty, warm jammies,” post-dinner activities, and reflections on the moon. There is also plenty of nonsense verse sure to inspire wild dreaming “on the road to morning.” These pithy poetic observations and New York Times illustrator and award-winning artist Christoph Niemann’s engaging and witty illustrations present a collection for the average child -- poems are mostly simple and entertaining rather than challenging or educational. The target market for readers is children aged 5 to 9 years.
Here are links to the book on IndieBound, B&N, and Amazon:   http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780316341219   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-minute-till-bedtime-kenn-nesbitt/1123210580   https://www.amazon.com/One-Minute-till-Bedtime-60-Second/dp/0316341215/