Mem Fox: Time for Bed

It's the end of the day and nighttime has come. Little ones are getting sleepy as they're tucked into bed by their parents. Mem Fox's rhythmic, repetitive phrases ease toddlers toward the notion that bedtime has arrived.

It's time for bed, little sheep, little sheep.

The whole wide world is going to sleep.

A sleepy baby animal and its parent fill much of the visual space on each spread. The refrains and illustrations are equally cozy and are full of the kind of warmth that helps lull readers. At the end of the book a mom kisses her young one good night--a lovely and helpful cue to your little reader that her or his bedtime has arrived as well.

Jane Dyer's soft-hued watercolor art of animals such as cats, fish, and even snakes are a perfect fit for the story. This was originally published as a picture book by Harcourt, but it translates so nicely into board book size that it really could've been published as either one initially.

A classic, and one of my favorite bedtime books.

Mem Fox

You and your totz can enjoy one class's study of Mem Fox's books.

Time for Bed

Mem Fox, author

Jane Dyer, illustrator

Red Wagon Books, 1997

~ Joan Holub, author