Hello dear friends!
Somehow, the day has almost gotten away from me. But it’s Perfect Picture Book Friday and I wanted to make sure that I shared a picture book that will be a wonderful addition to every young child’s library. Plus, author Carol Gordon Ekster has offered to donate a picture book manuscript critique as a giveaway! Woo-hoo! So please make sure you leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win it!
YOU KNOW WHAT?
Written by Carol Gordon Ekster
Illustrated by Nynke Talsma
Published by Clavis Group (2017)
Ages: 3-7
Themes: Bedtime, Procrastination, Curiosity
Synopsis:
From Amazon: Oliver should go to sleep. But there is so much he wants to tell his mother about: what happened that day at school, the things he read in books, everything he sees around him.
A touching and familiar picture book about (postponing) the ritual of going to sleep.
Why I like this book:
- I have three children and I remember the words, “You know what?” because they were the words my kids used to put off their bedtime. They all knew their mommy loved to engage in conversation (yup…I haven’t changed) and they knew I would never cut off their curiosity. This is a book that will strike a chord with every parent and every child.
- Great illustrations that show Oliver in all of his bedtime preparations…kids will identify with his routine.
- Filled with heart and humor.
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Make a bedtime routine chart
Photo courtesy: https://bitzngiggles.com
I think if you surveyed parents, one of the most difficult tasks for them is getting the kids to bed. One thing that helps is to put routines in place. And here’s a super cool chart that you can make with your kiddos. For detailed instructions, please go to: https://bitzngiggles.com/printable-bedtime-routine-charts/
Thank you for spending some of your precious time here, dear friends. I hope you’ll hop over to author Melissa Stoller’s blog on Monday because I’ll be stopping by there to chat about my writing process and more. Here is a link to her website, but my post won’t be up until the 26th. https://www.melissastoller.com/
I’m kind of sad to say goodbye to February…but I am so looking forward to the beginning of March because that will mean it is time for the #50PreciousWords Writing Challenge. Please come back on Friday, March 2nd when we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss with our 50-word stories. I’m excited to read all of your precious words!
And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win the picture book manuscript critique from Carol.
My grandchildren are a testimony to this bedtime dilemma that has been going on for generations. I love that this story addresses it with love. 🙂
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This picture book sounds great – such a strong concept that, as you mentioned, so many parents and children will identify with. It sounds like the story could also be used to help prompt discussions about a child’s day when they’re less forthcoming about details or are not sure how to bring things up. Thanks for sharing, and for the opportunity to win a critique!
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Kellie, that’s such a great idea – to be used to help prompt discussion about a child’s day! I love that. Thank you.
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I can relate to this question.
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Can’t wait to read this!
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I love how much Oliver wants to share his life. I hope he gets to sleep.
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Yes, he does! And this story is finished on the end pages. It shows Oliver and his stuffed animals asleep. You just have to peek under the back book jacket!
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Looks like another winner! I love the cover of this book.
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Thank you. I was so thrilled with this illustrator. She even makes her own stamps to use in her illustrations.
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I like the bedtime charts and will share with my adult children. I would love a Pb critique and will order your book You Know What.
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Thank you! I love the bedtime charts that Vivian connected to the story. She’s amazing!
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You know what? This is a great title, Carol. And, you know what? Vivian goes to bed just about the time I’m getting up!!! (Hi Vivian)
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Yes! Great topic! Going to sleep was such a hard time for my daughter. She had energy plus. We read lots of books…wish this one had been one of them. Wishing you the best Carol 🙂
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What a cute and clever premise of a universal problem. Thanks for introducing us to Carol’s book. And I like the extra fun activities, as well.
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Bedtime is special opportunity for connecting and unwinding with our children. This book sounds lovely, I will check it out. And thank you for helpful resource!
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Great book for all those questuons that plague us just before bedtime. Love it. What a beautiful cover. I put it on my library wish list.(Have to wait u til after REFOREMO!)
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Thanks Carol and Vivian. This looks like a wonderful book. I find even with teenagers the conversation starts right when it should be ending. You know what? How can you resist!
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So many parents and children will be able to relate to this book! My children’s favorite time to talk is at bedtime. In fact, we’ve deliberately built in an extra 30 minutes into their routine just so they have time to say everything they need to say. 🙂 Looking forward to reading this!
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You are an awesome parent to deliberately build in an extra 30 minutes. We never want to shut down the opportunity for our children to be able to have our undivided attention.
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Thanks, Carol! Some days it’s hard to find that time. But if we skip it, I notice a difference in all of us.
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Bedtime involved quite a complicated ritual for my daughter. Her mind always seemed most active when the sun went down. Thanks, Carol. I’m looking forward to reading this!
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No matter how many we have she always wants one more story at bedtime.
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My daughter says this exact phrase every evening! Looking forward to checking this one out.
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This subject resonates & I think kids & their parents will enjoy seeing themselves in the story.
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This book sounds adorable!
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Funny, but it isn’t my daughter who owns this marvelous ritual of postponing bedtime… It’s me! It always seems when everyone is sleepy, my mind is revving up with all that happened that day, everything I want to take care of the next day, and the latest news of what’s happening to one of the characters in a manuscript I’m working on. I think I need this book more than my daughter does. I’m looking forward to checking it out.
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Kids will relate to this! Cute!
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“You Know What?” was a phrase often heard at bedtime in our house! Looking forward to reading this one!
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OMG! I have to get this book. It reminds me so much of my 3 year old grandson. Humorous!
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My 3-year-old grandson loves it. The concept for the book began when I flew to meet him for the first time. It’s so cool to have it for him to be able to read it to him now. Being a grandma is the best thing ever!
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Lovely post – and a choice book for parents!
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Sounds like an adorable book and I do remember those words from my son as a way to prolong bedtime rituals.
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I look forward to reading this adorable book Carol! Great post and bedtime chart Vivian! Can’t wait to host you on Monday! Thanks for the shout out!!
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I miss bedtime routines with my children. They are all grown up. I’ll enjoy sharing this book with my grandsons at their bedtime routine.
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My girls like to call out “Mummy, I just need to tell you something…” as I leave their room at night 🙂 This book sounds wonderful.
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Excited to read this!
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I love the bedtime routine. Now that my kids are a bit older, there’s more independence at bedtime, but my 10 year old is still so chatty at the end of the night. I always feel like this is the time they really open up. This looks like a great book.
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Lucky that I never experienced this problem, but I know so many parents who need to handle it. Love the cover!
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Thanks! I was thrilled with the illustrator and love the cover, too!
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What a great looking book- it sounds so sweet and funny! Thank you to both of you for offering and arranging for the picture book manuscript critique as well!
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Somehow I missed your post! This sounds like a book I should gift to grand children and a niece and nephew. I love your activity list.
I didn’t have a hard time getting my daughter to bed because I always gave her body or sometimes just foot massages, which she loved. Relaxing the feet, relaxes the body. And, we made up stories.
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Thank you, Patricia…my grandson is sleeping over this week and he loves to do geography quizzes in bed before he falls asleep. But the massage sounds amazing!
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This story sounds like it will resonate with both parents and children and I absolutely love the cover!
Thank you so much for giving away a picture book critique Carol, it’s very generous of you :o)
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Thanks, Catherine. And I look forward to offering any insight I can. When I review others’ stories I feel like I am working on my craft.
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Brilliant story idea! Bedtime is when we get all the news from our son. We’ve learned to get him into bed a bit earlier so we have plenty of time to find out about his day and answer all of his random questions 🙂
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So kind of you to post and Carol to offer a critique. One would be truly blessed to have Carol give her expert opinion :0)
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Awww! Thanks, Aileen. So sad not to have the Central MA Book Festival this year! Hope you are well.
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Ooh, I wish I had this book around when my kiddo was smaller! What a great idea and fab execution!
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Thank you, Vivian! https://abluebunny.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/happy-birthday-dr-seuss/
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This was me. This is my kids now. LOL
We had a bedtime checklist but my artsy daughter would draw all over it instead of checking. So I made little magnets. They go on a metal strip in the hall and as the kids “do their checklists”, they move the magnets to another strip on their bedroom doors.
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