Simon Says Good Night

by Orit Bergman, Annette Appel (Translation)

Simon didn’t say go to sleep…did he? After he’s tucked into bed, Simon and his favorite toys get ready to play…Simon Says! The nighttime comes alive, and imaginations run free as Simon issues his commands to his little friends. There’s just one you’d better make sure he said “Simon says,” or else it’s your turn to go to sleep! One by one, Simon’s toys get all cozy for sleep…until it’s Simon’s turn! Join Simon and his toy friends in this charming and playful bedtime romp.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this picture book both completely inoffensive and completely uninteresting. Worth reading to your child if you particularly enjoy this art style, or if you need some filler books to check out of the library just for a change.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Dad tucks Simon into bed and his door closes, Simon is ready to play. He gathers up his toys for a quick game of Simon Says. As Simon’s imagination runs free, his toys better be sure he says, “Simon Says” or he will say “Good Night”.

This children’s book written by an Israeli author and illustrator has now been translated into English. Simon is a typical kid who isn’t ready for bedtime. So, once he has been tucked into bed, he decides there is still a bit of time left for some pretend play with his toys.

Simon imagines a game of Simon Says with his toys and if they mess up and do a command without the “Simon Says” they are out and have to go to bed. Eventually, the only one left to play is Simon and even he misses a command and is resigned to the fact that it’s finally time for bed.

The translation is smooth and the illustrations have the look of a classic story from my childhood. If you have a child who loves to play with a vivid imagination or struggles with bedtime, try adding this story to your nighttime reading lineup.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simon's clever take on the game of Simon Says provides a nice dose of fun before he and his toys go to sleep. After his father leaves the room, Simon immediately pops out of bed and begins a game of Simon says with his toys. If the toy follows an instruction without the words Simon Says, it has to go to sleep. One by one, the puppy, robot, and mouse succumb to slumber. Along the way though they fly through the sky, take a ride on the back of a wolf, and visit a star before he returns to his bed to fall asleep. The art takes a somewhat abstract turn during the imaginary part of the story. The art is certainly striking although the style didn't appeal to me much. But the story is a fun one with Simon putting himself to sleep in such a creative way. As with many books that originate from somewhere outside the United States, the style of the writing and art is different than what is commonly seen in the U.S. This makes for a different sort of reading experience.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kid faces all the requests from Dad when it's time to go to bed, that he does the same with his toys and cuddlies – leading them in a merry romp through the imagination, playing the 'Simon Says' rule game, where you are only obeyed if you say "Simon Says" and have to be ignored if otherwise. It's not too bad, but it's not the kind of book that will send a child to sleep – far from it, with the loopy and looping dynamism of the art. A seven year wait for it to be translated from the Israeli original is a small indicator that this is not essential, and it's certainly not, but it's not a complete waste of time. Three and a half stars.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm working my way through some of the children's books I've been wanting to read & had forgotten about. This one evidently was an early access book (That I read on the Kindle), & it comes out on December 1st, 2023. The pictures were simple (in a good way) & cute. If you remember the game "Simon says..." growing up then you will know where this book came from. The drawings & this sweet little boy named Simon who just wanted to have a little more fun, was just what I needed. (As I was writing down the title & author, I noticed it is a translated work so maybe it's just hitting the U.S.? Either way, I enjoyed this fun little book)

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an eBook Kindle copy of Simon Says Good Night by Orit Bergman as part of the Prime Benefits Program and I want to thank bot the author and Amazon Prime for offering the book
as part of the Prime benefits.

Simon Says Good Night is based on the game 'Simon Says' and is about a little boy that doesn't want to go to sleep so he plays that game with himself. The illustrations are wonderful and the book is fun and the children I read it to loved it.

[Larry Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little children's bedtime picture book built upon the classic children's game of Simon Says, even though our young protagonist gives some impossible commands to follow for the real world. But in the world of make-believe they can be done. Those who break the rules are "put out" of the game, i.e. put to bed and sleep...the theme of the book.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be interesting to pair while playing Simon Says. I find so many kids don't get the concept of it. And it is huge in promoting listening skills.

I received this book as an ARC at SLJ's Day of Dialog

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book of a game is Simon says at bedtime.

Not in Bookbub

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute children's book

[Haley Kilgour · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a cute little bedtime story. Of course Simon doesn’t want to sleep, so he’ll play a game. And of course, he’s asleep by the end.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little book!

I read this to my son just now and loved it! It is a very cute little bedtime story. Lovely pictures!

[Erin Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and whimsical bedtime story!

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.