Goodnight Everyone

"I have a real weakness for bedtime stories that include an opportunity to yawn. Nothing gets my children to sleep faster and more efficiently than yawning. This is the ultimate yawn book. I had relied on a book called Good Night, Gorilla which is a near-perfect picture book, an utter classic. It’s got some lovely yawn opportunities in it, as well as being a delight. But my son was getting a little bit wise to the ruse and now this one is out. I’m a sucker for colour and this book is just glorious in terms of colour. Look at those glowing colours! My chidren woke up in the morning and immediately got out the brightest pens they possibly could. It’s playful. There are cut-out pages, which we love. It’s just a joy. The mouse is sleepy, yawn, everyone yawns. Then you’ve got the little bear who isn’t sleepy. There’s nothing new here. We know this story structure, we know as parents what’s going to happen, but the pacing is gorgeous. My son was asleep within two minutes of it finishing, which is a very pleasant bonus for a parent. Yes, sometimes the illustrations in children’s books are very detailed, very exquisite. They’re very beautiful, but my daughter says, ‘Oh, I could never do that.’ Whereas these give her a feeling of, ‘Yes, I can have a go at that. I just need loads of bright colours!’ There’s an argument for both. It totally charmed me. I just have a weakness for a yawny book. They’re very funny."