"Mommy laughs.
"It's bedtime, Bo."
Bo stands on one leg.
"I'm already asleep!"
"What do you mean?" asks Mommy.
"I'm a parrot," says Bo."
As bedtime approaches, Bo is full of energy. His mother is calm, letting him know that bedtime has arrived. Bo likes what he's doing. He likes 'tumblesaulting', and singing, and playing with his many toys and stuffed animals. Not wanting to go to bed, he begins with reasons for not complying. First, he's a parrot and his stance is the one parrots use to prove they are sleeping. His mother agrees that he is right about the way parrots sleep, and wonders if her parrot might like something to eat. Turns out he is ready for porridge and blueberries.
Once done, they move upstairs to the bath, and the conversation between the two continues. Bo pretends to be one animal after another. Mom provides additional information relating to his choices. First the bath, then teeth cleaning. Mom continues to acknowledge how those various animals sleep. Into the bedroom they go to put on his pajamas. He ends up under the bed with his canine companion. When he tires of that he does a headstand, pretending to be a bat. That doesn't last long; soon, he climbs into his bed and cuddles up.
Bo's mom has patience to burn, and a willingness to accept her son's reluctance for bedtime. However, her ability to treasure his imaginative ways while also teaching him quietly and efficiently about animals and the world is a pleasure to watch. All the while, she is doing exactly what she needs to do to prepare Bo for a good night's sleep. Bravo!
"Now you're a mob of meerkats,"
says Mommy. "You sleep all snuggled
up, over and under each other. That's
how you keep yourselves warm."
Bo rubs his eyes and yawns again.
He feels so tired."
The illustrations are a wonder. Filled with bright colors and humor, Ms. Johnsen creates a child's world that is sure to please young listeners. Loose and busy with action, they definitely enhance the learning for how other creatures of the natural world get themselves ready for rest, and how Bo's mom uses all her skills to make bedtime a pleasurable experience for both.
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