Fright in the Night

Fright in the Night by Michelle McTiernan, illustrated by Emma Stuart (Little Steps Publishing)

PB RRP $17.95

ISBN – 9781921928864

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

‘I jumped into bed and lay down my head, and within no time at all there was a scratch at the door.’ So begins a tale told in rhyme, about a young boy who takes forever to get to sleep. Like many children, he finds it difficult to settle and must address a myriad of distractions. These distractions are, in fact, him remembering every single thing he needs in bed with him to keep him feeling comfortable and safe enough to fall asleep.

The first time he jumps out of bed he finds his teddy and he does snuggle back down, actually dozing off, but is woken … ‘during my nap I heard a tapa-tap-tap.’  Of course, this time it’s a different toy he’s forgotten. Each time he settles back down he believes he hears something and this sees him jump up out of bed once again, turning on the light to discover another of his toys.

Every time he remembers another special toy, the text repeats the refrain where the boy jumps out of bed ‘and turned on the light to see what it was that gave me a fright.’ He invites every toy into bed with him and when he finally drifts to sleep again he’s wedged in with his teddy, bumblebee, crocodile, giraffe and yellow duck. The story then ends with the boy waking and feeling that the night must have passed in no time at all as it is now daylight.

Bright illustrations show exactly what is happening as it is told in the story and the text, which is lovely and big, will mean early readers may well be able to read it themselves after having heard it a few times. Aimed at ages 4-6 the story is a light end of day read that will help signal that it is, in fact, time to put yourself in the head space you need so you too can dose off.

Tell Me About Your Day Today

Tell Me About Your Day Today by Mem Fox, illustrations by Lauren Stringer (Scholastic Australia)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 978-1-74283– 578-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

This is a bedtime story about a boy who loves to go to bed. After his last kiss, story and goodnight, he asks his soft toy friends about their day. Then he tells them about his.

Tell Me About Your Day Today is a stunning book. Mem Fox is a brilliant story teller and I would place this one amongst my favourites. It is a perfect example of how the illustrations can speak as clearly as the text does. And Lauren Stringer does this masterfully with gentle and soft pictures which portray emotions, relationships and quiet humour. Bold and bright colours that glow on the page create a surprisingly a warm and cosy atmosphere.

This is a positive bedtime story. The ritual embedded in the bedtime routine and the repetitive nature of the ask-and-answer about the day’s events reinforces how children learn and act. Young children love repetition and find it comforting and reassuring. And talking about the day’s events is one way they can process all that has happened to them. This is a great message to convey to children.

This fabulous story is full of imagination and is entertaining and humorous. Children will relate to the bedtime routine and to the interaction with the soft toys as friends. Most children will have a ‘Greedy Goose’, or a ‘Blue Horse’, or ‘Fat Rabbit’ to sleep with.

Many young children like to have the same story read every night for a period of weeks and this one would be enjoyable to read over and over again. I loved this book, from the ‘boy who loved bedtime’ to the Fat Rabbit with the band-aid on his bottom. I would highly recommend it to all who have young children to read stories to. I can see many children taking the cue from this boy and talking to their bed buddies about their day before they go off to sleep.

Mem Fox is a highly regarded picture book author. She has written over 35 picture books and is very popular among children and their parents and other older readers.

Lauren Stringer has illustrated many picture books, including The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr. Her bright bold style characterised by a gentle glowing quality is recognisable in all her illustrations.

All Through the Night

All Through the Night by Dean Jones (black dog books)
HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 9781742031521
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

A young boy is tucked into bed at night after playing with his toy train. But nothing is ordinary in All Through the Night. He is transported on a magical night time journey as a passenger on a train, flying past boats and nets full of fish, a giant cloud Sandman lighting their way with their safety assured as they pass through a storm by travelling in a giant bubble until, on the first hint of light, they head for home.

The minimal text is rhythmic, like a lullaby, and perfect to read out loud as a reassuring bedtime story. Rather than being something to fear, the night is full of magic and wonder and no harm can come one's way. Jones' illustrations are vibrant with a hint of nostalgia. It was hard for me to decide on my favourite: was it the one when the boy is woken by a seagull landing on his head; or that of the snails nibbling on the moon; or the new day with its city of toasters, eggs, milk jugs and orange slices?

I was fortunate to have my have my four-year-old niece and two-year-old nephew's assistance in reviewing this book. My nephew was mad on the train and kept flicking back and forth through the pages to show me each drawing of the train, including those on the end pages. While I was delighted in his enjoyment of the book, I was even more so with my niece's. Normally one to favour stories of fairies and princesses, she asked me to read and re-read All Through the Night. 

This beautifully presented picture book with its padded cover and special ticket to ride in its own pocket is a quality production and one for all young children. It is sure to become a family favourite.