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It Is Not Time for Sleeping
As the day comes to an end, bedtime draws near. But the little boy in this book is quite sure it is NOT time for sleeping. As each piece of his evening routine is completed—helping with the dishes, playing with the dog, getting into pajamas, brushing teeth with Dad, being tucked in by Mom, and listening to a story—he becomes a little more certain: it is definitely not time for sleeping. The question is, when WILL it be time for sleeping? A rhythmic, cumulative text and lush twilit scenes come together to create a perfect bedtime book that will be treasured for generations to come.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2016
13 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Graff
21Ìýbooks492ÌýfollowersLisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, Double Dog Dare, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, The Thing About Georgie and Sophie Simon Solves Them All. Originally from California, she lived for many years in New York City and now makes her home just outside of Philadelphia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
February 13, 2024
I liked how the story gradually calmed down the closer it got to bedtime. I didn’t enjoy reading the same routine over and over, but I know repetition and routines are important.
September 11, 2019
As a little boy and his parents go through their evening routine - eating dinner, doing the dishes, taking a bath, tickling the dog, being tucked into bed, reading/listening to a story - the boy continually insists that it is not yet time for sleeping. It is only when he is given his hug and kiss, and told that he is loved, that he is finally ready to head off into the land of dreams...
Lisa Graff, who is best known for such middle-grade novels as and , makes her picture-book debut with this sweet bedtime story. The soothing rhythm of her story, in which each step of a loving family's nightly ritual is described in turn, is well matched by the charming illustrations done by Lauren Castillo, who won a Caldecott Honor for her . Recommended to anyone looking for appealing new bedtime stories for younger children.
Lisa Graff, who is best known for such middle-grade novels as and , makes her picture-book debut with this sweet bedtime story. The soothing rhythm of her story, in which each step of a loving family's nightly ritual is described in turn, is well matched by the charming illustrations done by Lauren Castillo, who won a Caldecott Honor for her . Recommended to anyone looking for appealing new bedtime stories for younger children.
August 6, 2017
A great bed time story! I love the illustrations!!
March 16, 2017
I am lowering the stars because I dislike Castillo's art, and don't give a damn about her Caldecott Honor, and because this is nice, but no "instant picture book classic." The writer of the jacket copy may wish so, but that doesn't make it so. Nor does the fact that the author has written some good children's novels make her instantly a great picture book artist. They are very different genres.
This might be a great bedtime story for an older preschooler, but text is too long and doesn't have the sort of impact required in a bedtime story for a toddler or younger preschooler. Repetition can work, but there is nothing lyrical about this prose that makes it worth repeating.
There are lots and lots and LOTS of better choices out there already.
This might be a great bedtime story for an older preschooler, but text is too long and doesn't have the sort of impact required in a bedtime story for a toddler or younger preschooler. Repetition can work, but there is nothing lyrical about this prose that makes it worth repeating.
There are lots and lots and LOTS of better choices out there already.
March 1, 2017
A wonderful bedtime story. Lauren Castillo's illustrations are perfection.
November 10, 2017
A new classic bedtime story! The book tells the story of a little boy’s nighttime routine � from dinner to bedtime � with each step accumulating in the style of “the house that jack built� or “I know and old lady�. With each ritual, the parents remind him that it’s bedtime, but the little boy insists that “it is not time for sleeping� yet. The author perfectly captures the universal parenting concept that is getting children to bed, but with a calm and continuous tone. The illustrations are bold, but perfectly show the passage of time as early evening becomes nighttime. This book the perfect bedtime story for preschool children.
December 22, 2016
Story: 5 stars
Art: 5 stars
Bedtime picture book with a cozy feel. Story is cumulative, with additional elements that are outside the serial sentence. Lots of whole family interaction. It's nice to see the dad included as an integral part of the family. Lauren Castillo's illustrations are lovely, especially the last few page spreads. Effective use of the darkness to depict nighttime, which is difficult to render well in a picture book.
Art: 5 stars
Bedtime picture book with a cozy feel. Story is cumulative, with additional elements that are outside the serial sentence. Lots of whole family interaction. It's nice to see the dad included as an integral part of the family. Lauren Castillo's illustrations are lovely, especially the last few page spreads. Effective use of the darkness to depict nighttime, which is difficult to render well in a picture book.
December 25, 2016
I really like the way the illustrations just seem to jump off the page; there is something different about them. I could see this book as a nighttime ritual. The inclusion of the dog makes another layer of cuteness.
October 31, 2016
Perfect night time read aloud with tender illustrations.
March 30, 2023
Nearly flabbergastingly delightful -- that's my assessment of this clever story by Lisa Graff.
Going through a lovely bedtime routine, one step at a time, with the first-person narrator's refain, "It is not time for sleeping."
Such loving parents! So understanding and tender with their little child!
Seems to me, this book could help many a kid to appreciate that so-important thing, a bedtime ritual. Maybe this book even help many a child go to sleep, remembering how gentle kindness from their caregiver(s) is a big, sweet deal!
Thanks, insightful author Lisa Graff. And thanks Lauren Castillo for illustrations that I found easy on the eye and warming to the heart.
Going through a lovely bedtime routine, one step at a time, with the first-person narrator's refain, "It is not time for sleeping."
Such loving parents! So understanding and tender with their little child!
Seems to me, this book could help many a kid to appreciate that so-important thing, a bedtime ritual. Maybe this book even help many a child go to sleep, remembering how gentle kindness from their caregiver(s) is a big, sweet deal!
Thanks, insightful author Lisa Graff. And thanks Lauren Castillo for illustrations that I found easy on the eye and warming to the heart.
May 19, 2017
This might be the best Don't Want Bedtime book I've ever read. The main character goes through the process of getting ready for bed, but he makes sure his parents know that it is not time for sleeping. Children will enjoy the repetition as each bedtime task gets added on to the refrain: "when dinner is over and the dishes are scrubbed and I'm squeaky-squeak clean..." But when his parents give him a goodnight hug, then it is finally time for sleeping. The ink and watercolor on canvas illustrations enhance the text, and are engaging yet soft enough for bedtime. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2018
This is a classic bedtime story! This book tells the story of a young boy's nightly routine. Text on the book is very suitable for text content teaching, including some action descriptions and illustrations are combined very well. For example, for a young child, typical dinner rituals include children washing dishes, bathing time, putting on clean clothes, and brushing their teeth. These are all about the cumulative text of a young boy who has not yet had time to go to sleep. In teaching, this can be the illustration and text of the book as teaching content of mentor text.
May 4, 2022
I picked up this book, despite it being a picture book, because Lisa Graff is one of those middle grade authors to look out for. I’ve known her for A Tangle of Knots - a National Book Award Longlist, and for Lost in the Sun - one of my all-time favorite middle grade reads. I think Lisa Graff did well with this book. Very positive and the main character was smart and confident. And he knew exactly when it was the time for sleeping 🙂 The illustrations are striking - nice and chunky (the strokes are confident) and they’re by Caldecott Honor Winner Lauren Castillo.
June 1, 2017
This was much better than the last picture book I just read. It's about a boy who's getting ready to put the day behind him but not just yet, since it's not time for sleeping. The story is repetitive and simple, perfect for storytelling to little kids. I'd recommend this for children between ages 4-7. I didn't find it to be toddler friendly. The art was okay, the highlight being the dad with blue glasses. I would have like the art to be more clean cut.
July 18, 2020
I love reading to my granddaughters fortunately the littlest is a snuggles and will listen, look, and point to referenced dogs, mommy and daddy. The story is repetitive which brings a soothing quality to the story. The five year old recognized getting ready for bed, the steps and putting the moment off as long as one can. The story has a settling down sequence, a fun little dog named Jasper, and loving parents.
September 21, 2020
The day is coming to an end. Dinner is over, the dishes are done, pajamas are on, teeth are brushed...as each step of his bedtime routine is finished, a little boy is certain - it is not time for sleeping. I loved this sweet book about a little boy's reluctance to go to bed. It has colorful illustrations and flowing, easy repeating text. My favorite part is its very sweet end, as all that he needs before he goes to sleep is a hug from Mom and Dad.
April 17, 2018
A cozy bedtime book for 2-4 year olds. A little boy and his dog go through his bedtime routine, but he insists it is not time for sleeping. Warm and patient parents help him prepare for the night. The signature Castillo illustrations add to the appeal of this story about a secure and comfortable end to the day.
March 15, 2023
This book tells the story of a young boy and his evening routine. During each part of his routine, the boy tells his parents that it is not time for sleeping. The book ends with the boy's parents telling him good night and they love him. After the boy repeats back good night and that he loves them too, he can go to sleep. Lauren Castillo did a great job with the illustrations.
November 6, 2016
With a soothing repetitive text and warm, comforting illustrations, a young child uses every excuse to put off bedtime. The story is familiar and the sentiments timeless, but this evocative picture book feels new and relevant -- and can be added to the canon of sleepytime classics.
February 13, 2018
I adore the repetition in this one, but the rest of the elements didn't really suit my tastes.
If you or a loved one is a "and one more thing" type person (especially where bedtime is concerned), this book is probably for you!
If you or a loved one is a "and one more thing" type person (especially where bedtime is concerned), this book is probably for you!
October 21, 2020
A short story about a young boy getting ready to go to sleep beautifully follows the glowing illustrations of his home and his family. I recommend this to Pre-K and Kindergarten students when they are getting ready for naptime (if that even still happens anymore in schools these days!)
November 21, 2023
A cute bedtime story about a little boy and his dog getting ready for bed. I did like that it repeated all the steps taken, adding a new step, each time. A little wordy for a younger child, maybe better suited for 4-6.
September 29, 2024
I liked this book. As each step in the pre-bedtime routine happens in the book, children can anticipate the repetition that the author cleverly uses. Cleverly written, simply and beautifully illustrated.
November 23, 2024
The love in this book is wonderful. I think though, it’s a bit too serious and detached. It’s not a cozy going to sleep book, and there’s no fun in it. The dog is adorable, but I think the dog should cozy up on the bed with the little boy. It needs to be warmer.
November 1, 2016
Lisa Graff has written a bedtime story that is timeless and precious.
Lauren Castillo has illustrated a bedtime story that is timeless and breathtaking.
Lauren Castillo has illustrated a bedtime story that is timeless and breathtaking.
November 10, 2016
Peaceful, sweet, realistic, cumulative book about a little boy's bedtime ritual. Love the illustrations.
May 10, 2017
A fine, cumulative bedtime storytime book.
October 2, 2017
The daddy in this book looks like my daddy!
October 15, 2017
Lovely book about following a bedtime routine that eventually leads to the time for sleeping.
August 21, 2018
“When I’ve munched and crunched my last three carrots (except for the one I fed to Jasper), Mom takes my plate.�
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
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