The Big Bed

by Bunmi Laditan, Tom Knight (Illustrator)

From the creator of the Honest Toddler blog, The Big Bed is a humorous picture book about a girl who doesn't want to sleep in her little bed, so she presents her dad with his own bed―a camping cot!―in order to move herself into her parents' big bed in his place. A twist on the classic parental struggle of not letting kids sleep in their bed.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 6, 2018

About the author

Hello, my name is Bunmi Laditan. I am a writer living in Quebec, Canada by way of northern California. My writings include The Honest Toddler and Confessions of a Domestic failure and poetry such as Dear Mother and Dear God: Honest Prayers to a God Who Listens.

instagram.com/HonestToddler

facebook.com/BunmiKLaditan

Reviews

[Arlene♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute and we laughed the whole time reading it because this is hands down my daughter on every page! It's so stinking cute and I loved the illustrations.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny book about bedtime.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not exactly sure who the intended audience for this is, though I could see using it with older kids in an argument writing unit. Went way over students' heads. Was hopeful for more based on the cover.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bunmi Laditan and Tom Knight's The Big Bed is a witty and funny story about a savvy young girl who attempts to- not so subtly!- move her dad out of the 'big bed' so she can sleep with her mom. As a mom with a three year old who would often like nothing more than to sleep in our 'big bed', I could absolutely relate and happily giggled my way through the picture book.

In The Big Bed, we meet our young protagonist who has a major issue she needs to discuss with her father: who gets to have Mommy during the night? The young girl presents her father with all the ways he's great during the daytime, but nighttime is another matter. The little girl wants to sleep in her parents bed- well, in the big bed with her mommy- and cannot fathom why this might be a problem. Why, the girl wonders, can't her grandma tuck her father in at night? Why does her father mind when she accidentally pees a little in bed? A little pee-pee never hurt anyone- and in fact, readers learn, pee-pee will keep scary bears away! Why can't her daddy just- maybe, possibly- let her sleep in the big bed along with mom while he sleeps on....a cot? A COT! Yes, the perfect solution for EVERYONE, the girl thinks! We'll even buy new nice sheets for the cot for daddy to enjoy! As her mom laughs hysterically at the idea and dad smiles (and probably marvels) his way through his daughter's detailed presentations, readers get to go along for a very entertaining story.

Overall, what a fun read; cleverly written and perfectly matched with bright, wonderfully expressive and lively illustrations! Parents with young kids who are facing sleeping issues might especially relate and find great humour in Laditan and Knight's story, but The Big Bed stands on its own as a genuinely witty picture book.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

This book is totally charming and adorable, and I laughed out loud while reading it to my 4-year-old. Some of the jokes went over his head (those lines were very funny but definitely aimed at the adults reading the book, rather than at the kids), but plenty of the humor worked for him, and he's been playing the story of the book ever since we first read it an hour ago. It really made an impact on him, and I can tell I'll be re-reading it with him many times!

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read this because of an objection to it from a patron in our library district.

I think it is a hoot! The little girl wants Mommy to herself, especially at night in the "big bed." Just like most, if not all, toddlers. Doesn't mean the parents are going to give in or not explain things to her. Some people apparently overthink things.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is hysterical. A little girl has decided that daddy should no longer sleep in the big bed with her and mommy. And, she has lots of good reasons why this is the case. Her ultimate will have more than just her mommy laughing.

A great read aloud for preschoolers.

[Ruchita Nemade · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was so disappointing

[A Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Using similar language that an adult might use to tell their child that they can't sleep in the bed with them, a young girl tells her daddy that he has to sleep somewhere else so that she can share the big bed with mommy. For example, "...Mommy and I will gennnnnnnnnntly roll you onto your big-boy bassinet. It will be right next to ours if you need anything. Anything at all." She says "seeing as how there are two of us but only one [mom], we face a hard decision" and I don't like the insinuated competition for mom's love and affection. The child tries to claim mom and suggests that maybe dad's mom will sing him to sleep at night. She also argues for the "benefits to waking up damp from liquid waste" which I found really off-putting. I didn't find this book funny, cute, or meaningful.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very serious proposal presented very seriously from a very serious girl.

[Ms. Shoshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny picture book about a toddler trying to convince her father to sleep on a cot because she wants to keep sleeping in bed with Mommy, and the bed isn't big enough for the three of them. I really like the illustrations: they're cheerful and bright and very kid-friendly, and of course it's lovely to have illustrations of an African-American family in a book that is about normal life. I'm not giving it five stars because I wish it was clearer that the child is not going to get what she wants!

Good book on a topic that parents want!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a little girl attempting to convince her dad to sleep on a cot so she can share the big bed with her mom. Her arguments are silly and tongue-in-cheek and will probably be as funny to parents as they are to the kids they're reading this to (if not moreso).

(Read Harder challenge #18: A picture book with a human main character from a marginalized community)

[Annie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god this is probably my favorite picture book right now. If you want hilarious, precocious child explaining to dad how he's gotta make some changes to his sleep routine, read this book and LAUGH.

[LaShana (she|her) Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. I rarely laugh out loud while reading but this made me so happy. It was so cute and reminds me of my youngest niece. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and features an adorable Black girl.

[Cristine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are too many in this bed and someone has to go.....read and find out who! A delightful book!

[Elizabeth Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. It's one of those brilliant picture books that parents will enjoy just as much as the little ones. The description on the leaflet speaks for itself: "Mommy. We have to talk. The bed isn't big enough for the three of us. I think we both know what this means: Daddy has got to go." I actually read the whole book out loud to my fiance and we laughed out loud. I've put this on my list of books to buy for friends' little ones!

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have children this book it for you.

[Maureen Agnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

L-O-L
The illustrations were perfection, too.

[Melissa McAlvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hilarious! we don't have the problem of kids trying to sleep in bed with us but can still relate to the struggle of children sharing their parent of choice at the time with the other parent. So funny!

[Shamekia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hilarious and adorable. Great for reading aloud, although I feel that grownups would laugh more at this than children.

[Christine Mancini · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is hilarious for adults but I don't think this is appropriate to read with children.

[Geena Kenemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED 2 THUMBS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Hysterical...yet spot on! If you've ever had a small interloper in your bed, you'll definitely relate to this book. It's even more fun for the parents than the little ones.-Jennifer K.

[Nicole Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful. One of the best picture books I've ever read. I love Bunmi Laditan on Twitter, and she's amazing in book form, too.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot describe just how adorable and hilarious this book is! Absolutely perfect!

[Nore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really more for the parents than the kids, but it made me laugh. Super cute.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I would never read this to my child, she's already way too good at arguing for her solutions. However, as a parent it made me laugh. Available via https://thebigbed.webflow.io

[Reyhaneh br]

با این ترجمه خواندم: میترا امیری/پرتقال

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird!

[Alexius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated G. This is one of the funniest books I’ve read in a while. If I could give it 10 stars I would because it’s a must have. No spoilers from me but it’s very funny!