Little Rabbit Goes to Sleep - Hardcover

Johnston, Tony

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060212411 ISBN 13: 9780060212414

Publisher: Harpercollins, 1994

Synopsis

A little rabbit cannot fall asleep because he finds the night dark and scary, but when he watches it with his grandfather he sees it full of stars and crickets

About this title

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 2-A book that deals with childhood fears of the dark and insomnia. A little rabbit does not go right to sleep; he flops around in his bed, tries to count mosquitos (since rabbits do not count sheep), and is frightened by the darkness and the unknown. He gets out of bed and joins his grandfather on the porch for some talk about what the crickets are saying and why the moon shines. Comforted, he returns to bed and falls asleep. The overall effect is cuddly and soothing; the night terrors do not receive much space, and Grandpa shows up before things get blown out of proportion. The illustrations, with their emerald and sapphire blues, provide a fantasy setting for the story. Even the crickets are larger than life, more insectlike than Jiminy Cricket, but still not specimens-their raucous, nightclub stances as they sing make them funny and busy rather than creepy and scary. Stevenson's watercolors, layered for depth, do a good job of portraying the shadowy nature of night. A story that will provide comfort and a little amusement before bedtime.
Ruth K. MacDonald, Quinnipiac College, Hamden, CT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

The little rabbit tries to go to sleep--he counts mosquitoes (one) and the feet of mice scurrying in the rafters (it can't be done: too many) and tries to ignore the scary dark; but finally he creeps down to the porch, where Grandpa's rocking chair is creaking. Then, while the old rabbit cuddles the younger one in his lap, they chat comfortably about stars, the rising moon, and chirping crickets, until the night is no longer scary and Grandpa can tuck the little one in, to snore ``as softly as one little mosquito.'' Johnston's deftly phrased text is genial and unusually engaging, while Stevenson captures the summer night in peaceful purples, blues, and greens. His bunnies are wonderfully expressive and appealing, while dozens of pleasurable details add interest--fabric designs featuring veggies popular with rabbits, the mosquito's shadow, nightshirted mice. A charming bedtime book that should be with us for years to come. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0060212411
• ISBN 13: 9780060212414
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Stevenson Harvey