Goodnight Moon

I have written about books that I love, books that I have read for the first time, and now I will write about a book that I don’t like at all. 

Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrator: Clement Herd
Publisher: Harper Collins (1947)
Prices: Board Book - $8.99, Hardcover - $11.99, Paperback - $6.00
Reading level: 0-5 years old
Interest level: Preschool and Lower grades
Physical Characteristics: 6 x 5.2 inches, 32 pages
ISBN: 0694003611
Genres: Board Book, First Reader

Subjects:
Stories in rhyme
Rabbits – Juvenile Fiction
Bedtime – Juvenile fiction

Annotation:
The reader says goodnight to all the various objects in a young rabbit’s bedroom.

Summary: 
This story chronicles a young rabbit as he goes through his bedtime ritual.  Both he and the reader say goodnight to almost everything within his nursery room.  There are goodnights said to animals in the room, pictures, people, bowls, mittens, and various other items sprinkled around the room.  As more and more things are bid adieu, the rabbit gets sleepier and sleepier and finally falls asleep… and hopefully, so does the child that is listening to the story.

Evaluation:
Maybe it is because I have read Goodnight Moon 5 million times, or maybe I have PTSD from reading this book to an infant and then toddler who seemed allergic to sleep, but this book makes me crazy.  That being said, the rhythm and words of this book are memorable.  In fact, I know every word of this book by heart and think I always will.  I think what puts me off is all the weird touches in the room, the décor, the creepy lady sitting across the room… and the mouse. 

I think, by law, every copy of this book MUST be tattered

My feelings and thoughts on this book are perfectly summed up by one of my favorite blog posts of all time!  It is not a professional review, but is one of the funniest things I have ever read

All of my Issues With the “Goodnight Moon” Bedroom


Similar Titles or Authors:
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman

Websites:
http://www.harpercollins.com/9780694003617/goodnight-moon-board-book-60th-anniversary-edition

Awards & Recognition:
Although not an official award winner, Goodnight Moon has sold over 14 million copies, making it one of the best-selling picture books of all time.

National Education Association - Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children
School Library Journal - Top 100 Picture Books

Professional Reviews:
Publishers Weekly


All images (c) Clement Hurd