It Simply Can't Be Bedtime

by Pamela Paul, Steven Salerno (illustrator)

Bedtime routines get a jolt of silliness and creativity when a dad and daughter face off in this timeless scenario.

When dad says it’s bedtime and his daughter strongly disagrees, her stuffy hilariously comes to her defense.

Lady Pigsworth is quick to point out the many ongoing projects that just can’t be abandoned, the danger of sleeping in a butterfly costume, the alarming spinach stuck in the girl's teeth, and more. Each over-the-top declaration of why it can’t possibly be bedtime yet leads the group through common bedtime routines in animated and heartwarming scenes—until Lady Pigsworth’s demands reach questionable heights, even to the little girl, so she takes matters into her own hands to get both of them into bed.

Dreamy illustrations and the hilarious Lady Pigsworth make for a perfect read-aloud that will leave any kid content to shut their eyes, at least for a little bit.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Pamela Paul is the editor of The New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at The Times. She also hosts the weekly Book Review podcast. She is the author of six books, How to Raise a Reader, co-authored with Maria Russo, My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues, By the Book, Parenting, Inc., Pornified, and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, Paul was a contributor to Time magazine and The Economist, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her next book, Rectangle Time, comes out in February. She and her family live in New York.

Reviews

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hilarious and delightful. The illustrations are full of energy and creative details, and I love the dialogue from the British stuffed pig. This will make a great read aloud, especially if you give the pig a posh British accent. This is a winner for anyone looking for a quirky and unusual bedtime book, or a book about favorite stuffed animals.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly 'stalling for bedtime' book. I love the Ms. Nesbit like imaginary character and the child engaging with their parent. Very silly.