My Big Boy Bed

November 1, 2003
PreS-In this upbeat tale, Donny bids good-bye to his crib and moves into his new sleeping quarters. He familiarizes himself with his "big boy bed" by jumping on it, playing under it, and decorating it with his stuffed animals and blankie. Now he can get up whenever he wants to, and during the night, he tiptoes across the room to say good night to the current inhabitant of the crib, his new baby brother. Bunting's uncomplicated text hits the spot with its careful focus on ideas familiar to toddlers and its quiet, almost lyrical language. Done in cool shades of teal, lavender, and yellow, Smith's watercolor illustrations reflect the simplicity of the story. The open facial expressions and relaxed body language of the characters reinforce the book's positive tone. A worthwhile addition on a popular topic that will ring true with young listeners.-Liza Graybill, Worcester Public Library, MA

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2003
PreS. A little boy bids goodbye to his crib and steps across the room to his new bed, complete with "big boy sheets and a big boy quilt," not to mention a new book for reading in bed. After bedtime, he slides out of bed once to play and again to tiptoe across the room and whisper "Good night" to his baby brother, asleep in the crib. Written from the boy's point of view, the first-person text expresses childlike sentiments in simple language. The pleasant watercolor illustrations, bright in daylight and muted as night falls, complement the tone as well as the sense of the narrative. A very useful book for young children making the crib-to-bed transition.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)