Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! I took a little PPBF blog break, but I am back with four straight weeks of awesome picture book reviews…and of course, on Mother’s Day which is this Sunday, May 10, I’ll be posting all of the #50PreciousWordsforKids stories…oh my gosh…the ones that have come in are amazing! So, please make sure you come back to read them.
But meanwhile, here’s another story you will want to read. It is launching on May 12! And thanks to the generous publisher, EK Books, you might be the lucky winner of a copy! I’m really excited about it – the author, Sharon Giltrow, lives in Australia…maybe if I return there, we’ll get to meet in person. And the illustrator is one of my Storm Literary Agency sisters, Katrin Dreiling…love her art!
BEDTIME DADDY
Written by Sharon Giltrow
Illustrated by Katrin Dreiling
Published by EK Books (2020)
Ages: 3-7
Themes: Bedtime routines, family, humor
Synopsis: From Amazon:
Putting Daddy to bed can be hard work. Especially when he starts crying! This story will show you how to wrestle your daddy into his pajamas and read just one more bedtime story. “I’m thirrrrrrrrssssssty,” says Daddy. “I need to poop … I’m hungry … But I’ll miss you,” he says, while he looks at you with cutie eyes. You’ll have to battle the bedtime excuses and use go-away monster spray until Daddy finally goes to sleep. Bedtime can be a mission for many, but with these gorgeous illustrations of a little bear and his dad, this is the perfect role-reversal bedtime story to help put any fussy child to bed in a fun and positive way. Full of heart and humour, Bedtime, Daddy! is for anyone who wants to try and put a grown-up to bed.
Why I love this book:
- Kids will think it is hilarious that the little bear is putting Daddy bear to bed – humorous role reversal that is very well done!
- Charming illustrations will keep the kids engaged and turning the pages!
- There is always a need for good bedtime books!
RELATED ACTIVITIES:
Make a BEAR craft
Photo courtesy: https://homeschoolpreschool.net/bear-crafts-for-kindergarten/
How will you pick just one? I have no idea…they are all so cute. And some of them obviously use toilet paper rolls – empty ones, thank goodness. For details: https://homeschoolpreschool.net/bear-crafts-for-kindergarten/
With libraries and schools shut down, festivals and bookstore events cancelled, it is so very important for us to help keep books alive…and their authors, illustrators, and publishers. I know we can’t buy every book we love, but please do what you can:
- If you can, buy the books you love (from your indie bookstore if possible…many are shipping books with no mailing costs like my local https://www.toadbooks.com/
- Please review books that you love on Amazon, Goodreads, or B&N.
- Tell your friends about the books you love.
- Shout out on social media!
Don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway – what was the favorite bedtime story you read with your children when they were little?
For more wonderful picture book reviews and activities, please hoop over to Susanna HIll’s Perfect Picture Book Friday.
And make sure to come back on Sunday – Mother’s Day to read all of the #50PreciousWordsforKids stories.

I love encouraging kids to discover the storyteller that lives in their hearts
That is sooooo cute. It’s obvious heart and humor abound in this book. Can’t wait to read it. I also can’t wait to read all the #50PreciousWordsforKids stories on Mothers Day. Happy Mothers Day dear Vivian.
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Thank you so much, sweet Diane! This book is really cute…and so funny! And yes, the #50PreciousWordsforKids stories are awesome! I’ll probably be spending Mother’s Day over at Caroline’s…it will be the first time I am seeing her in 2 months. YAY! And they plan to order Indian food…what could be better than that?
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Yummmmmmmmm!!!
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Hi Diane thank you for your comment. I can’t wait for you to read BEDTIME DADDY as well.
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That’s a cute theme of role reversal. Maybe it would teach the kids a lesson or two about bedtime.
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Hi Linda, I hope children will be able to identify with daddy bear and little bear in my story :-).
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I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I’ve been a fan of illustrator Katrin’s for a very long time and I’m always up for the theme of bedtime fun! Excellent blog!
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Hi Raven, yes Katrin’s illustrations are gorgeous. I am so thankful that EK Books asked her to illustrate my story.
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This story is so very cute! Love it!!
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Thank you Janet the characters are adorable especially when daddy bear uses his cutie eyes.
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This book looks so fun, and I love the bear crafts you included.
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It was a fun book to write to and it is a fun book to share with children :-).
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Role reversal stories are always a hit with children. It’s fun to see how silly a grownup appears who needs another bedtime story. Gotta say that I love the Go-Away-Monster spray!
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Hi Leslie, I love writing role reversal stories. Every child should have some go away monster spray :-).
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Love the role reversal! Children will adore this story. Can’t wait to read it to my little cubby.
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Hi Stephanie, I love that you want to read my story to your little cub.
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This sounds and looks like an adorable book. The illustrations are wonderful, too. I’m looking forward to reading the kid’s stories on Sunday. Thanks, Vivian, for all you do! Happy Mother’s Day to all!
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Thank you Kim for you kind comments.
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This book looks great!
My kids are still little, we read multiple books every bedtime, but my personal favorite right now is Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein, it’s fun to see how many of the rhymes my kids know by heart!
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Hi Zachary, I love that you read lots of bedtime stories to your little ones :-). It is great that you are reading rhymes to them too.
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Very cute! Sounds like a fun bedtime story. Thanks for sharing, Vivian. Love the bear crafts!
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Hi Angie, I hope BEDTIME DADDY! becomes a favourite fun bedtime story for many children.
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My son loves ‘putting’ me sleep…he asks to do it every day and then whispers “I hope you have sweet dreams”. It’s so sweet and I can’t wait to check out this book! Thanks, Vivian and Sharon (and EK books!)
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Hi Katie, I love that your son puts you to sleep everyday and especially love that he whispers to you sweet dreams. That would have been great to include in my story. I hope BEDTIME DADDY becomes his favourite book.
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What a great story! It would make a great 1st day Father’s Day gift for my son and his baby girl. Thanks, Vivian and Sharon, for another great interview and another great book!
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Hi Rinda, yes BEDTIME DADDY would make a great first father’s day gift and father’s day in the northern hemisphere is just around the corner.
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Thanks Vivian for sharing this darling, clever new picture book. My copy is on order. The bear crafts look like lots of fun. Thanks for sharing.
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Hello dear Claire, thank you for your comments. I can’t wait for you to own your own copy :-).
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This book will be a fun read! When I used to read bedtime stories, we read everything Maisy. We also enjoyed Bear Snores On.
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Hi Danielle, I love Bear Snores on such a great book.
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Absolutely delightful! I am going to have to get this book for my great grandkids. They love humor and what a better than to reverse roles! The artwork is special! This would also make a great share for Father’s Day. Hope she come up with a story about mother.
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Hi Patricia, I do have another book waiting to be published about a mummy. I hope your great grandkids love BEDTIME DADDY!
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Aw, so sweet! Little ones will love this turn about! What a great choice this week, Vivian!
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Hi Jilanne, thank you for your kind words. I am so glad that Vivian chose to feature my story :-).
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I love the role reversal books and this one looks adorable. Great crafts, too!
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Hi Maria, I love writing role reversal books they are super fun.
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This sounds just perfect! I can’t wait to read it.
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Hi Beth, I can’t wait for you to read BEDTIME DADDY too.
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We just switched over to toddler beds and bedtime has included an emphatic “No” more than once. I’m bookmarking this one for the kids and Father’s Day.
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Oh the toddler beds that is a big move and ripe for many, many, delay tactics. I hope you enjoy my book and you and your family can see the humour :-).
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Bedtime Daddy is adorable. Thank you Vivian!
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Thank you – yes the characters are really adorable. Enjoy!!
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Thanks for featuring Sharon’s adorable book, Vivian! She’s one of my critique partners and I’m so excited for her book to debut! I just love the illustrations, too! Congrats, Sharon!
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Thank you Judy and thank you for all your help in getting BEDTIME, DADDY! published and for helping me to come up with the title :-).
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Thanks Vivian for sharing these wonderful books. You are my source for new reading! Sharon, I bet you are so excited and perhaps tired…might need someone to read you a bedtime story. It looks like fun.
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Hi Nancy, yes a bedtime story would be fantastic right about now :-).
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