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Bedtime at the Swamp
Splish splash
rumba-rumba
bim bam boom! It's bedtime at the swamp—except somebody's not ready. Somebody's still splashing in the water and the mud. Is there a monster on the loose? Kristyn Crow has taken every child's worst nightmare and transformed it into a frolic through swampland. With funny illustrations and a catchy refrain, this story won't scare little monster too much before bedtime.
rumba-rumba
bim bam boom! It's bedtime at the swamp—except somebody's not ready. Somebody's still splashing in the water and the mud. Is there a monster on the loose? Kristyn Crow has taken every child's worst nightmare and transformed it into a frolic through swampland. With funny illustrations and a catchy refrain, this story won't scare little monster too much before bedtime.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 22, 2008
2 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Kristyn Crow
13 books43 followersKristyn Crow is the author of four children's picture books: COOL DADDY RAT (Putnam), BEDTIME AT THE SWAMP (HarperCollins, THE MIDDLE CHILD BLUES (Putnam, coming soon) and SKELETON CAT (Scholastic, coming soon). COOL DADDY RAT received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal. She is the mother of seven children, some with special needs, and Kristyn has written hundreds of blog articles on topics like autism, juvenile diabetes, and parenting. Some of these articles have been reprinted by national foundations. Kristyn loves to hear from parents, teachers, kids, and readers. Visit her website by clicking HERE, or visit her writing blog by clicking HERE.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 2, 2013
This is a wonderful bedtime story that has some action, drama, and fun that ends on a calmer note, so it's not too overstimulating. I love the repetitive refrain "Splish splash rumba-rumba bim bam BOOM!" And the ending is pretty funny, too.
The illustrations are terrific, with lots of expression, action, and suspense in the nighttime scenes. We recognized Macky Pamintuan's distinctive style in the illustrations from his work on the Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series.
The illustrations are terrific, with lots of expression, action, and suspense in the nighttime scenes. We recognized Macky Pamintuan's distinctive style in the illustrations from his work on the Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series.
August 14, 2008
What a great book. A rhyming book that has a great beat so you could sing the book as well. A little boy is out by a swamp when he hears "Splish splash, rumba-rumba, bim bam boom!" He is being chased by a monster. He and his friends run through the swamp all the while hearing that rhyme. They're all up in a tree when the see the scary monster. Until...they all hear (even the monster) "Splish splash, rumba-rumba, bim bam boom!" and the mom pokes her head out of the trees. It was their bedtime and they're late. They all have to go home, even the monster, and go to bed. A great book for older kids because they could say the repeating rhyme with you. Another great book for a Halloween storytime.
October 26, 2016
A good choice for monster or Halloween preschool theme. Even a southern theme if I ever went that route, for of course this book must be read with my southern. I liked the ending with the monster, and how the repeated sounds were worked into the story at the end.
10/26/16 Closer for preschool Halloween theme. Had the kids join me on the second time through the chant. They liked that. They got more worried as the book went on, and then there was the surprise with the monster. And they liked the ending.
10/26/16 Closer for preschool Halloween theme. Had the kids join me on the second time through the chant. They liked that. They got more worried as the book went on, and then there was the surprise with the monster. And they liked the ending.
June 14, 2010
This one is great! The author did a great job of conveying the rhythm into the words and it has beautiful illustrations. A great choice for parents looking for a book with a fun and rhythmic quality and kids whi like things just a bit spooky.
May 3, 2010
I picked this book up because the dog was adorable. Could it be a Westie?
March 6, 2018
What's scarier than a monster... in the swamp... at night? Only one thing - your Ma when you are late coming home for bed! Told in rhythm and rhyme, with bold, expressive pictures, this late night chiller thriller of a picture book will get you chanting along... splish splash rumba rumba bim bam BOOM.
November 24, 2023
It’s a great read aloud, Coleen! Loads of onomatopoeia fun.
February 21, 2010
I think many kids will find this very amusing, and I did appreciate the twist ending, but I wanted to like this book much better than I did.
There was something about the illustration style that didn’t appeal to me. In fact I found it kind of creepy, but not in a way that necessarily seemed apropos.
The story would be fun to read aloud, and it does have that wonderful ending, but as a whole it didn’t really do that much for me. I do think that it would make a fun and reassuring bedtime story for some children.
And, this may be one of the (fairly rare) instances when my opinion is tainted by my being a half century older than the target audience. I do think that the premise is terrific.
There was something about the illustration style that didn’t appeal to me. In fact I found it kind of creepy, but not in a way that necessarily seemed apropos.
The story would be fun to read aloud, and it does have that wonderful ending, but as a whole it didn’t really do that much for me. I do think that it would make a fun and reassuring bedtime story for some children.
And, this may be one of the (fairly rare) instances when my opinion is tainted by my being a half century older than the target audience. I do think that the premise is terrific.
April 5, 2011
Great "spooky" story about monsters in the swamp. I love the local dialect used in this book as well as the sequencing of the story. the pictures are fantastic and I think kids would really enjoy this. Great for K-2
March 21, 2012
Another wonderful read aloud. A fun book to read in a song-like rhythm. My son asked for this one every night for 3 weeks, until we had to return it to the library. It is on our list of books we check out frequently.
Read
April 10, 2017Now I've got this song stuck in my head... and I can hear it being repeated down the hall by my listener.
October 31, 2018
It's bedtime, but one little boy and dog are playing in the swamp. When they hear a monster coming, they take off to hide in a tree. The tree grows more crowded as family members come out to get them for bedtime and also hear a monster coming.
Fun bedtime book. A little spooky. A little silly. Rhyming text. Dark and bold illustrations.
Fun bedtime book. A little spooky. A little silly. Rhyming text. Dark and bold illustrations.
November 1, 2019
2.5 stars -- A kid who looks sort of like a caricature of Paul McCartney is stuck in a swamp with his little white dog...and something big and loud seems to be crashing around out there! What could it be? Lots of noises and action words. Would make a good not-too-scary read-aloud for the Halloween season.
June 10, 2020
Splish Splash Rumba Rumba Bim Bam Boom
Somethings stalking through the swamp, and all the kids end up hiding in the tree - until Mom comes to sort things out!
Crunch Crash tumble-tumble Split Spalt Sploom!!!
I love books like this - excellent story time material with the rhyming stanza's and the action chorus.
Somethings stalking through the swamp, and all the kids end up hiding in the tree - until Mom comes to sort things out!
Crunch Crash tumble-tumble Split Spalt Sploom!!!
I love books like this - excellent story time material with the rhyming stanza's and the action chorus.
February 8, 2022
What a great rhyming book about bedtime! A little boy is in the swamp at bedtime when he gets scared by a noise and hides up in a tree. He does not want to come down when it’s time for bedtime, though, because the noise is still out there! What could be making that scary sound? It’s not what you think!
September 28, 2017
My twins LOVE this book!
May 23, 2019
A great monster book with lots of rhythm and repetition.
October 3, 2019
The illustrations were fun. I like the almost realistic style.
And it's perfect that Mom is scarier than the monster.
And it's perfect that Mom is scarier than the monster.
January 5, 2020
THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK!!!!!
November 7, 2020
Excellent for music class, teaching syncopation
October 29, 2022
Fun read aloud from the Dragon's Lair!
October 30, 2022
10/30/22: Cute Halloween book. One I will enjoy reading with the grandchild in years to come. Loved the illustrations too.
October 21, 2023
10/30/22: Cute Halloween book. One I will enjoy reading with the grandchild in years to come. Loved the illustrations too.
April 2, 2024
What a cute, silly little book with whimsical illustrations and plenty of goofy words and repetition for kids to giggle or chant along with :)
August 28, 2008
Poetry
Bedtime at the Swamp is a good book about a little boy who is in the swamp and hears a swamp monster so he runs away and climbs up a tree. Then, his sister comes to tell him to go home and go to bed, but she ends up hiding in the tree from the swamp monster also. Then, his brother comes to tell the first two siblings that it is time to go home and go to bed, but he ends up hiding in the tree from the swamp monster too. The same thing happens when the two little cousins come looking for them - they end up in the tree too. Then, the swamp monster showed himself and scared all of the children who were in the tree and the next thing you know the monster is hiding in the tree with all of the children. And, just then, the mother climbs through the bushes and tells everyone, even the swamp monster, to go home, get washed up, and go to bed. This book was entertaining because it was all done in rhyme and it had a repeating refrain.
Act. #1:
Word Sorts - Each student will choose three words from the book and write the three words across the top of their paper. Then, under each word the students will write four to five words that rhyme with it. The rhyming words can consist of real words or nonsense words. The children can work individually or in groups and upon completion the children can share their answers.
Act. #2:
Story Retelling - After reading this story, the students will retell the story to the teacher in a one-on-one setting. The teacher will have a checklist to ensure that the student hits all of the main points from the story. The checklist can then be used to assess what the student learned and / or remembered.
Bedtime at the Swamp is a good book about a little boy who is in the swamp and hears a swamp monster so he runs away and climbs up a tree. Then, his sister comes to tell him to go home and go to bed, but she ends up hiding in the tree from the swamp monster also. Then, his brother comes to tell the first two siblings that it is time to go home and go to bed, but he ends up hiding in the tree from the swamp monster too. The same thing happens when the two little cousins come looking for them - they end up in the tree too. Then, the swamp monster showed himself and scared all of the children who were in the tree and the next thing you know the monster is hiding in the tree with all of the children. And, just then, the mother climbs through the bushes and tells everyone, even the swamp monster, to go home, get washed up, and go to bed. This book was entertaining because it was all done in rhyme and it had a repeating refrain.
Act. #1:
Word Sorts - Each student will choose three words from the book and write the three words across the top of their paper. Then, under each word the students will write four to five words that rhyme with it. The rhyming words can consist of real words or nonsense words. The children can work individually or in groups and upon completion the children can share their answers.
Act. #2:
Story Retelling - After reading this story, the students will retell the story to the teacher in a one-on-one setting. The teacher will have a checklist to ensure that the student hits all of the main points from the story. The checklist can then be used to assess what the student learned and / or remembered.
July 6, 2016
Bedtime at the Swamp by Kristyn Crow and illustrated by Macky Pamintuan is a delightful tale of a young child’s worst nightmare--a monster chasing him. This is a very funny bedtime story with great illustrations and wonderful rhymed text which is interspersed with a “Splish-splash rumba-rumba bim bam BOOM!” I think these noises which he hears could actually be coming from within the child adding to the effects. It really adds to the story that each time the child thinks the monster is going to get him, it turns out to be another member of the family, sister, cousins, etc. Love when the monster really does appear only to be frightened by the mother coming out to get all the children to bring them all home to go to bed.
The beautiful illustrations appear to be a digital illustration all having a blue-greenish background. They really bring out the humor of the story. A child reading this story could actually picture what a swamp should look like. It just has a creepy feel.
This book is perfect for a young reader. It has the appeal that it is just scary enough to be suspenseful, but not enough to really scare any child. Perfect addition for a young child learning to love the rhyming of text.
The beautiful illustrations appear to be a digital illustration all having a blue-greenish background. They really bring out the humor of the story. A child reading this story could actually picture what a swamp should look like. It just has a creepy feel.
This book is perfect for a young reader. It has the appeal that it is just scary enough to be suspenseful, but not enough to really scare any child. Perfect addition for a young child learning to love the rhyming of text.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2025
This is a pretty fun story! It builds up to be a little spooky but then ends comically; so check the book before reading it to insure that your kiddos are old enough and sure to enjoy it.
Ages: 4 - 8
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
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If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
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Ages: 4 - 8
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
March 9, 2015
This is a book about a family of kids who go on an adventure before bedtime. It starts off where a young boy is in a swamp and he hears scary noises and goes to hide in a tree. Then his sister comes and tells him that mama said its time for bed, and the young boy tells his sister that there are monsters in the swamp and the sister ends up in the tree with her brother. The same thing continues to happen with their older brother, their cousins, and then the monster, until finally mom shows up and tells them herself that it is bed time. That is the reader will realize that it was only a bedtime story being told, and they young boy who is the narrator starts to prepare for bed. This book relates to the cultural topic: family, because their family shows how they get ready for bed. Students will find this story very exciting because of the imagery and the language that is being used in this story. This book is a fantasy fiction and will take the minds of our reader into a new imaginary world. The illustrations used are perfect for the plot and do a great job at holding the readers attention. In this book the characters are very simple and the language is very fun to use and read.
April 16, 2009
Kristyn spoke at the SCBWI conference I went to today, and I love the rhythms of her books, which will make it fun to read out loud. And the twist in this, especially the last page spread, is very cute and clever. Just the swamp and monster will be enough for my four-year-old to love it, but to be a truly amazing picture book it'll have to stand the test of me not hating it after reading it MANY nights in a row. I love it so far, but since I'm saving it for Christmas the fifth star is pending for now. ;)
UPDATE: Four months after Christmas this is still a favorite of both us and our kids. Five stars!
UPDATE: Four months after Christmas this is still a favorite of both us and our kids. Five stars!
October 2, 2013
I LOVED Bedtime at the Swamp! Kristyn Crow is a fantastic picture book author for young children, her stories make reading F-U-N! This swampy adventure would make a whimsical interactive read-aloud to share with any child or a classroom full of them. Having the kids repeat the course of this very rhythmic book in a dramatic way:
Splish splash
rumba-rumba
bim bam boom!
The graphics are dark yet bright, creepy yet humorous; loved the whole thing!
Splish splash
rumba-rumba
bim bam boom!
The graphics are dark yet bright, creepy yet humorous; loved the whole thing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews