Good Night, Aunt Lilly

by Margaret Madigan, Diane Dawson Hearn (Illustrator)

The Mouse sisters, unable to sleep on a visit to Aunt Lilly's, recite the names of all the people who love them.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Gingaeru · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, two mice sisters are sleeping over at their aunt's house. That's fine—holy crap—there's a cat on the chair, staring hungrily at the human-size mouse child dancing on the bed! Not fine. What the heck? Now the cat's on Aunt Lilly's lap! "The clock ticked. The pussycat purred."! They can't sleep. Hmm, I wonder why. Oh, now it's got its paws up on Lilly's chest... Man, this is unnerving.

Worse than the human-size mice with a pet cat, is the "game" Aunt Lilly comes up with to put her nieces to sleep: having them list all the people who "love" them. I don't wish to upset anyone, but it's plain to see that most people who claim to "love", either don't know the meaning of the word or otherwise don't hesitate to lie about it. I guarantee that if these mice existed, the majority of the 13 characters they think "love" them, sadly would not in truth. Take this Sean guy, just because he plays jacks with you, doesn't mean he cares about you as a person. "Mouse Doll loves us", no, your rag doll is an inanimate object and is incapable of such a thing. It makes me sick when children are gulled into believing they are truly loved by everyone. I'm not saying there isn't love out there, there just isn't any in the vast majority of human beings. This is not a book I would show to a child.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little girls think about all the people who love them to help them fall asleep.

[Megan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read 6-19-25
One of my favorite books from childhood.

[Honor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written children's book, and I'm hopeful it will be re-released. Margaret Madigan is a superb writer. This is a sweet book that is excellent to read to little children before they fall asleep at night, and reinforces that they are loved and safe.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, how they try to conjure up the Waltons with this little tale. Everyone loves everyone else. Kumbaya!

The three little mice are having trouble sleeping. Aunt Lilly comes in to help them sleep. It is evident that the reason the mice are having a difficult time relaxing is because Aunt Lilly has a big ol' pussy cat in her lap. Cats eat mice. Little mice might be afraid to close their eyes with such a ferocious animal nearby. Y'think?

Anyhow, Aunt Lilly falls asleep instead of the little ones. They let everyone know who they love before they doze off.

Eh.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, this was another epic favourite of mine :D

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that the grandma fell asleep before the children. =)