Kiss Good Night

Sam Books

by Amy Hest, Anita Jeram (Illustrator)

A New York Times bestseller!

"The finale is so satisfying that it calls for an encore. 'Again!' Sam says, as will readers of this cozy story." — Child Magazine

It was a dark and stormy night on Plum Street. In the little white house, Mrs. Bear was putting Sam to bed.

Outside, the wind blows and the rain comes down. Inside, it is Sam's bedtime. Mrs. Bear reads him a story, tucks him in, and brings him warm milk. "Are you ready now, Sam?" she asks. "I'm waiting," he says. What else does Sam need before he'll go to sleep? Could Mrs. Bear have forgotten a kiss? This New York Times best-selling story by two of the most beloved picture book creators is available in a board book edition suitable for the youngest listeners.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Animals, Fiction, Juvenile

32 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about going to bed rituals, which are important and also can be used as a stalling tactic for going to bed, at least in our house.

A simple beginning story about Sam, the cub going to bed and Mom having to do everything just right on this stormy night. If only it were so easy to get kids to go to sleep like that.

I'm really having a hard time finding things to read. My library has few picture books for ebook readers and what they do have is mostly checked out. Open Library has stopped working for me yesterday. So, what I can find is slim. I have a few stories stockpiled for the year, but most are holidays.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the action in this delightful book, charmingly illustrated by Anita Jeram, takes place on a dark and stormy night on Plum Street where the cutest little bear, Sam, is going to bed.

His Mum tucks him up and asks if he is ready to go to sleep. He replies, 'No, I'm waiting.'

His Mum tries a variety of ploys such as a book, an extra blanket, milk and others to get him to settle down and go to sleep but Sam persists in giving the same answer.

His Mum is puzzled and then she realises what he is meaning.

I am sure you can guess what that was ... but whatever, it worked and Sam finally settled down to go to sleep.

And it was still a dark and stormy night on Plum Street!

[Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great bedtime story for your child or guardian.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiss Good Night is a book that every little child loves to read for bed time! The simple plot line and excellent pictures make this book a sure win! The front cover words and illustration make it easy for children to guess what Sam is looking for. Yet, even though its an easy guess its still just as exciting for them when you finally get to those last pages! The color choices for the illustrations are especially nice with the way the background and the words pop out. These colors make it easier for the children to be able to follow the words while you are reading. All in all this book is a huge winner in my eyes! (and my kids too!)



Learning Extension:
This book would be a wonderful opportunity for an activity about routines! For this book I would have the children dictate individually what their bedtime routine is. We would make a chart and compare the differences and similarities between everyone's answers.

[Britteny Gilge · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one of my classes we talked about how different people have different rituals that they do before bedtime. Some do nothing, some get read a book, some get sang to sleep. In Kiss Good Night we are taken through Sam’s own ritual before bed. Sam is read to, tucked in bed with his stuffed animal friends, and then drank a glass of warm milk. After all this Sam was still not ready for bed because he was missing one thing. He finally receives the last part of his bed time routine and then is able to go to bed. This book could be used as a writing prompt for kids to write about what they do before bed time and then share with the class what they do every night before bed. This book was sweet and the pictures were very appealing to look at. They were simply, but spoke the story the story that was being told.

[Ana LibrariAna · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a dark and stormy night on Plum street, Mrs. Bear is getting Sam ready for bed. After getting him ready, she asks if he is ready. Even after tucking him in, reading him a story, arranging his friends next to him, bringing him a glass of warm milk, Sam still isn't ready. He says he is waiting. What is Sam still waiting for? What else could Sam still need before going to bed?

A delightful read-a-loud for the little ones that I read every year. Through colourful illustrations, repetition of certain words and sounds, having a bit of a mystery, this book has a charming atmosphere perfect for autumn and winter nights.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that the illistrations in this book were very nice. My son was convienced that Mrs. Bear was the daddy for some reason. I have to admit that it was a bear in a green sweater... pretty non descript pictures in general. When rating a childrens book if my son don't get the story from the pictures that hurts the score pretty badly. So, although they were attractive to look at they were not so thought provoking. In fact I don't think he asked a single question other than the daddy/mommy confussion. The story didn't evoke any thought or dialog either but it was kind of a sweet story.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 8-month-old granddaughter and we both loved it. When the mommy bear kisses Sam, I kissed Annabelle and she beamed. With that reaction, how could I give this book any less than 5 stars? It is a sweet book about bedtime rituals and there is lots of love between mother and son. The illustrations are colorful and homey and complete a perfect addition to a bedtime story collection.

[Ashley Zuniga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a short book that children will stay engaged during. The books illustrations are interesting and eye catching. A child will be able to relate to the book because they have done the same with their family.

[Freddie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet bedtime board book.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, don't forget the goodnight kiss. :)

Ages: 3 - 6

Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

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[Carly Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple plot about Bears routines before going to sleep. Mrs. Bear reads her child Sam a story, they both know the words to the book. She tucks Sam in and gets his favorite stuffed animals, a glass of warm milk. Sam says that she is missing something. She is missing a goodnight kiss or three!

This story is simple and easy to follow. It could be helpful for goodnight routines for little children younger than 3 years old. It is very predictable but a very sweet story.

The illustration are vibrant, painted with acrylic and all primary colors which make it fun to the eye.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snuggly, cuddly bedtime rituals come to life with fun, colorful illustrations in Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest and Anita Jeram. Mrs. Bear reads Sam a story (one which they both know all the words), tucks Sam in, brings him his favorite stuffed friends, share a glass of warm milk...yet she is forgetting one thing (or is she really forgetting or just stalling?). Kiss good night, first once, then twice, then twice more!

Use for /2009 Family Jammie Storytime.

[Bradley Jones]

it was a dark and stormy night on plum street. in the little white house mrs bear was putting sam to bed. ready now sam oh no said sam i waiting mrs bear sat on the bed beside sam and they read his favourite
book and they both knew all the words afterward mrs bear pulled one side of the blanket way up high under sam chin and the bianket was
red she pulled the other side too tucking it under his toes like a nest
out side the wind blne

[Stacie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kalen got this book as a gift from his doctor at an appointment. He has became obsessed with it. I have read this book multiple times a day since he received this book. The book has simple words with nice pictures. Kalen likes pointing to the picture of the baby (sam). I have read this book so much, I can read it with my eyes closed , flipping the pages. He only had the book less than a few weeks.

[Brooklyn Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book; however, it had a very simple meaning. I liked that it made the bears be associated with what most children and their parents do every night. I could see this book annoying parents because it could influence kids to take longer to go to bed. I still think this is a cute book.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, gentle goodnight book, though for some reason the bear kissing her little one goodnight made my 20m old cry. I think she wanted to bear to kiss her goodnight!

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both my kids love this book. Meanwhile, I didn’t get why Sam was saying “I’m waiting” until the third time through. Guess it’s too sophisticated for me.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam was waiting. His mother tucked him into bed, read him a story, and so on -- but he still waited for one special thing. Cute story and illustrations.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

We got this one from a restaurant and it's kind of cute!

[Lee Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and sweet. 2/5 stars.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our all-time favorite books.

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little narrative building along repeating a refrain. On the idea of Creak said the Bed, but sweeter. Prediction points abound for interactive read aloud.

[Magdalena Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great bedtime story. I loved the illustrations and how simple the book is.

[jiji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I good bedtime book about bedtime rituals. I loved the illustrations, especially the outside ones.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, super sweet, and perfect for a bedtime read.

It's time for Sam to go to bed, despite the storm brewing outside. When Mrs. Bear asks if he's ready, he tells her he's waiting...which is her cue to read him a book and snuggle him into bed. But when she asks again if he's ready, his response doesn't change. Soon, she's mentally going through the list of what she might have forgotten.

I got my hands on the hard copy of this little board book, although I do understand that there is a 'puffy' board book and an audio form on this one, too. This book has been around for a few years, and after reading it, I know why it's stood the test of time. It's simple, hits a very familiar situation, has a tinsy-bit of tension due to the storm and, most importantly, is packed with love.

There is a bit more text than in many board books (not too much, though). This makes it ideal for a bedtime read, since it gives listeners just a tiny bit more time to sink into the scene and let their minds drift. Especially ages 2 to 5 will enjoy this one, and it has a great size for their hands. As a board book, it's also more robust and can be tugged into bed without worries of pages crinkling and such.

The illustrations are detailed and allow Sam and his mother to come across as a loving bear family. I did enjoy gazing at each one, and especially appreciate the artistic flair.

For those looking for bedtime reads, this is definitely one to pick up, especially if you don't mind giving a kiss...or two...or even more before you say 'good night'. I received a complimentary copy and find this to be a great, 'good night' read.

[Srujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giving 5🌟 as a reflection of how much my son loved it!!! ❤️ I would enthusiastically recommend this for 2.5+ year olds, especially if you are working on getting them to sleep in their own beds / in their own rooms, on their own.

This was an unexpected hit. Not because it's not popular or not praised enough. No, it has plenty of good reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. It was me who had dismissed it as just another story about bedtime and cuddly bears and so on. It belongs fully to this genre, however the instant love that it received from my son was, well, a pleasant surprise for me. He loves reading it as every chance he gets. In the story, Sam the baby bear, goes through his bedtime rituals with his mom and yet, keeps insisting he isn't ready for bed, implying his mom has missed something. In its mysterious ways, the book and the bedtime routine in the book soothes my son, who is otherwise carefree and pretty independent during the day, but doesn't like bedtime. After this book, it became more clear to me that it's his separation anxiety showing. We now handle it differently. But our boy loves reading it over and over and over again even after some solid weeks. 😄 I learnt to not judge the book by it's theme, genre, reviews and ofcourse, cover! ❤️

[Mom_reading_childrens_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary (if you care about spoilers for children's books, skip to the next section)
Sam is getting ready for bed. His mother reads a book, tucks him in, tucks all his toys in, gives him a glass of milk. After each step of the routine she asks if he's ready for bed. He keeps saying he's waiting. His mother keeps trying to figure out what he's waiting for and she finally does. A good night kiss. After that, he falls asleep and his mother leaves the room.

Illustrations
Beautiful illustrations

Fun factor
More aww than haha

Is it supposed to teach children something?
I love that this shows us a successful bedtime routine followed by the child falling asleep in his own bed. Not a fan of bedtime struggle books that end with the child sleeping between his parents.

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Award
PreK-2nd
It is a dark and stormy night, and Sam is getting ready for bed. His mother tucks him in and reads to him, but he is still not satisfied. He wants his kiss good night before he goes to sleep.
This is a great book to read as a bedtime story. It reminds me of the things my parents would do for me before I went to bed. This is a board book with vibrant pictures to catch a young reader's attention.
Students can create a list of their bedtime routines.
Students can create a class book about what they do before they go to sleep.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember how scared I used to get at night in my own bed and how a mother’s/fathers kiss could make you feel all better. The pictures in this are beautiful and the illustrations of Sam jumping up when he wanted another kiss really hit me.