janinew3's Full Review: Margaret Wise Brown - Goodnight Moon: Pw Zoo Hli
Let's face it, bedtime can be stressfull! Just when you think the children have gone to sleep you hear..."I'm thirsty, mommy." "I'm cold." "I'm hot." "My covers came off." "There's something in my closet." "I need more light." "I heard a noise."
Does this sound familiar to anyone? This is an example of what goes on at my house during bedtime. As a mom of three children, I believe I've heard just about every reason to stall bedtime, so I decided to start sharing a soothing story with my children to help them calm down at night. This story was Goodnight Moon.
It is a wonderful short story that describes everything a little bunny sees while he's tucked into his bed, trying to go to sleep. His mother, who is quietly sitting in her rocking chair, watches her son, as he says, "Goodnight" to everything around him. The story begins...
"In the great green room
There was a telephone
And a red balloon
And a picture of
The cow jumping over the moon"...
And a comb and a brush
And a bowl full of mush
And a quiet old lady who was whispering, hush."
As the room gets darker and darker, it is much harder for him to keep his little eyes open, though he tries. He starts to say, "goodnight" to the many things he has seen in his room.
"Goodnight room
Goodnight moon
Goodnight cow jumping over the moon...
Goodnight comb
And goodnight brush
Goodnight nobody
Goodnight mush
And goodnight to the old lady whispering, hush"
This book has great repetition, so your child can remember where things are on the pages. My 2 year old has memorized it and can't even read yet. It is hypnotic and very relaxing. This book is geared towards pre-school children and helps them with recognition as well as repetition. Our favorite part of the story is saying goodnight to everything. Especially the old lady whispering "hush." Its soothing words and sounds help my little ones fall fast asleep. My two year old actually sits still when I read this book to him, which is saying a lot for a two year old.
Goodnight Moon is a great way for a child to say ,"goodnight" to everything in their own room, including themself. It can become a ritual before bedtime, along with stuffed animals, blankets and kisses.
I would recommend this book for children up to age six. My two youngest ones love this book, but my seven year old is starting to be bored with it. The pictures aren't all that exciting, but the soothing repetition of the words and pictures can calm a child.
Although we may not can prevent the stalling of bedtime, Goodnight Moon is a wonderful transition from playtime to bedtime. I know we'll continue to enjoy it for the next few years. My goal as a parent, is for my children to remember these precious times of us reading together, I know I always will. Time goes by so quickly and children grow so fast, we should make the time that we have with them count!
A little rabbit bids goodnight to each familiar thing in his room, in this classic story told with gently lulling words and soothing illustrations. 19...More at Barnes & Noble.com
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