Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy-a great good-night book

Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy absolutely nails the frustration and love that can come from putting a child to bed. Some nights it’s cute if they try ploys to delay the inevitable. Other times you’ll need them get horizontal ASAP due to the work that you need to accomplish or their questionable behavior. Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy is an illustrated book that is a joy to read and look at for children aged 3 and up.

Realistically the ceiling for the book will be 9 year olds, but I’ve found myself looking at the book during the daytime just for fun-and I’m just a bit north of that age. For me that was very surprising because the cover art didn’t immediately grab my attention. The illustrations by Scott Campbell are dreamy and soft, with an appearance as if they were done on water colors. Normally we’re fonder of crisp illustrations with defined edges. However, with this story the frustrations and joy of everyone involved in the story are more evident and it makes the story much more entertaining.

It all starts with Roderick. He’s a typical young boy who likes trains, dinosaurs and coloring. He also likes putting off bedtime by thinking up ways the drag out his parent’s conversation. Any parent who has tried to put a five year old to bed will identify with the questions that he puts forth.

This changes when his parents get him a goodnight buddy. Roderick isn’t sure what to make of Sleepy. He looks like a moose, a little like a bear, either way he’s not a fan of him. Sleepy has big creepy eyes that are always staring at him, so he puts Sleepy in the closet. He’s about the close the closet door when he hears a voice asking him not to shut the door.

There’s a little surprise when Roderick realizes that Sleepy can speak and once that’s handled Sleepy is trying to figure out his role. Roderick lets him know that it’s his job to make him sleepy. However, before Sleepy can do his job he needs a glass of water. After the glass of water Sleepy has to use the bathroom, then he wants to brush his teeth and he also wants a story. He also wants a snack; nut then has to brush his teeth again.

Think of the worst experience that you’ve had in getting your young child to sleep and this is much worse. It’s also hilarious and kids will immediately realize the absurdity in the book. A side benefit of the book is that they will then realize when they’re being unreasonable.

Drew Daywalt, the New York Times #1 best-selling author of The Day the Crayons Quit has wonderful words in this book. They are laugh-out-loud hilarious and channel all of the going to bed emotions from everyone involved perfectly.

In the end, Sleepy, The Goodnight Buddy does his job as a doll in the book. As a book this is fabulous. It’s hilarious and one that early elementary school kids will want to read over and over. As a library book or as one in your children’s library this is one that you’ll keep for years and generations, because kids will always try to get out of going to sleep and they’ll always need a buddy.