Naptime

Toddler Tools

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrations)

Naps are just a little break—but when it’s naptime, many toddlers have trouble settling into sleep. This calming, encouraging book helps young children quiet down so they can get the rest they need. Eyes are closed, lights are dimmed…and (yawn, s-t-r-e-t-c-h) before little ones know it, it’s time to wake up. Cozy illustrations enhance the text. An award-winning author/illustrator team offers a fresh look at the times and transitions all toddlers face daily, giving young children the tools to handle routines with confidence and cooperation. Toddler Tools® series
Daily transitions and routines can be a struggle for any toddler, as well as parents and caregivers. These award-winning, positive books can help ease the many challenging "times" that are a part of every toddler's day. Share them before (or during) the desired "time," or whenever toddlers need encouragement with routines.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Jay Jay]

Love this book, a very nice way to discuss naptime and encouraging kids to be happy about naps.

[Mort's Kids · Rating 2 out of 5]

Look: I'm pro-nap. Love 'em. Sign me up. The kiddo appreciates a good nap too. And I realize children's books are supposed to be educational and all, but I'm not sure I need a board book to talk down to me (or her) quite so much.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a book with reasoning and discussion about the importance of taking naps (with some additional talking points for parents/caregivers in the back).

Possible red flags: slight push back from the child.

[Audrey Widjaja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to teach your kid to nap.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

The interactions between the child and parent felt uncomfortable, like the relationship between a commander and a foot soldier.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm....

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd call this book the positive affirmation book about naps. I love naps!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great resources for teaching toddlers important skills! The illustrations are colorful and pretty to look at too.

[Violet Moll · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is okay. This author does this whole series on manners for children that kind of rubs me the wrong way. Manners are really an adult construct that children will try to do to please us...but they don't really mean anything to them in their early lives. It is important to me to encourage appropriate behaviors in my child but I want to approach it in a way that is meaningful and relevant to her. Anyway, I probably won't be bringing anymore books by this author home from the library anytime soon.

[Ruthie Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of letters missing. Can't read the words

Lots of the letters on the pages are simply not there so I cannot read it. It's not consistently vowels where I can figure out the banks.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace loves this book! It is part of a series. The little boy has learned several ideal statements about naptime - why we have it and the steps to getting there (take off shoes, get doll, get hug).

[Amber]

1 copy

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* art
4* story/concept

I find these books very helpful. Squirt enjoys reading about an every-day occurrence, and yawns very convincingly at the right moment.

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently framed argument for the importance of naptime. Ammunition for your next debate with an irate toddler, in the form of an great indoctrination tool.

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've started reading nap time books to my son to get him in the mood to take a nap. This one has a cute rhyme to encourage napping. Not bad, but my son didn't find it nearly as engaging.

[Tina Cerami · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Naps are just a little break. See you when you wake." This is a board book that is about a little boy taking naps. This could be useful in explaining to children that naps are good for them but this is also fun. Words like Play, Happy, Smooch, and Whew! are in different colors too making an exaggeration. I thought this was very cute!