Hiroyuki Arai

~ this book is a review copy

EVERYONE SAYS GOODNIGHT is a night time read-aloud that I wish I had had when my children were little. I say this because there's a strong focus on picking up toys before going to bed. Got to love that. (My kids definitely do not have that habit.)

"Little Bear, Little Bear,
it's time to go to sleep.

Put your toys in the box, slip
under the blanket, and ...

Goodnight!"

The book's art is colorful and sweet. And the structure is awesome. Every other page is split. This means that you have a solid first page, followed by a second page that you can turn in two sections.

With the teddy bear for example, you see him laying in bed with a blue car in one paw and a string to a red train in the other. When you turn the top part of the next page over his eyes are closed and he's smiling in his sleep. When you fold the bottom part of that page over bear is covered with a warm red & black blanket.

The back of the next page shows his toy box with the car and train inside.

I think most kids will enjoy the artwork, and enjoy turning the 'flaps' to change the picture. Mom and Dads will enjoy the subtle message that cleaning up should be part of the go-to-bed routine.… (mere)