The verdict:
This is a children’s picture book classic for the 21st century, showcasing beloved nursery rhymes in a modern context.
Who’s it for:
Boys and girls aged 3 – 7 will love this picture book
What it’s about:
Babysitter extraordinaire, Skinny Doug has come to look after Bonny and Ben for the evening. But before they go to sleep, Skinny Doug must recite their favourite nursery rhymes.
Why you need this on your bookshelf:
The author of classics such as Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep, Mem Fox is Australia’s reigning Queen of the picture book.
Good night, Sleep Tight, continues her tradition of producing books that will delight children, while simultaneously encouraging their language and literacy development.
Children love rhyme and repetition. It allows them to ‘read along,’ which is both empowering and engaging. Mem Fox understands this and her knowledge of children’s language development (she worked as a professor in the area) is on full display in this beautiful picture book.
It features a number of classic children’s nursery rhymes, presented in a modern context that resists traditional gender stereotypes. Judy’s Horacek’s illustrations are vibrant and relevant to the text.
This is a perfect bed-time read as it ends with the two main protagonists, Bonny and Ben, heading happily off to bed.
What better messaging could a parent ask for?
Buy it from Booktopia, or Book Depository
