Playtime?

by Jeff Mack

This funny picture book ode to the struggles of bedtime is perfect for fans of Mo Willems's Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late !

Bedtime can be a challenge for the best of us. But when you're a fun-loving, overactive pet gorilla, bedtime is downright  hard . Who would want to go to sleep when Playtime is so much more fun? But the gorilla's responsible friend thinks enough is enough; no more fun and games. It's not Playtime--It's Bedtime! So the boy turns off the lights and the gorilla goes . . .

Well, definitely NOT to sleep! 

Using only two words--Playtime and Bedtime--and an abundance of clever, giggle-inducing artwork, Playtime! is simple yet richly creative and bursting with childlike humor. Your own little gorilla will find it irresistible.

Praise for Playtime?

* "Young readers will enjoy watching a child take on the role of a parent, and sharing this book will be a delight for all. Multiple readings are sure to be demanded before bedtime finally comes."-- Booklist , starred review

"The gorilla’s naughty, sneaky smile is a thing of beauty. Just try saving this book for evening! Both younger and older readers will be looking and laughing throughout the day."-- School Library Journal  

"A pleasant and action-filled going-to-sleep book, this selection may prove the perfect antidote for a sleepless night. A simple, fun-filled goodnight book."-- Kirkus Reviews 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Plays

32 pages, Board Book

First published May 10, 2016

About the author

Born in Syracuse, New York, Jeff Mack has written and illustrated a long list of picture books, chapter books, and early readers, including Clueless McGee, Good News Bad News, Frog and Fly, the Hippo and Rabbit series, and Hush Little Polar Bear.

He has also illustrated many books for other authors, including James Howe's Bunnicula and Friends series and Eve Bunting's Hurry! Hurry!, one of School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2007.

At home in Easthampton, Massachusetts, he continues to write, illustrate, and visit schools and libraries to talk about his work. Visit him at www.jeffmack.com.

Bio taken from Jeff's website: http://www.jeffmack.com/short_biograp....
More biographical information can be found at http://www.jeffmack.com/biography.html.

Reviews

[Mandi]

Cute! …but only a few words 🙃

[Tracy Schillemore]

Hardly any words in this one. The best part of the book is the pictures. They are very cute. This would definitely be a good choice for a younger audience.

[Elizabeth]

Such a fun book! Jeff Mack is so good at incorporating simple text into his stories. The pictures tell almost the whole story-- but the little snippets of text add so much fun and playfulness.

A gorilla is not going to bed... he just wants to play! Will the little boy be able to get him to sleep? The thing I find so fun about this book is that it is the LITTLE KID who is trying to get the gorilla to sleep-- not an adult. I think anyone who is having trouble getting their little one to stop playing and go to sleep will love this book because it turns everything around and makes the child responsible for getting the gorilla to bed. Great book-- I loved it!

[Rose Rosetree]

Trust Jeff Mack to pack a lot of power into his words.

In this picture book, for instance, he uses only two:

* Playtime
* And bedtime

And isn't that a big-deal distinction to any child, errrr, I mean any gorilla.

Sweet life lessons from that irrepressible illustrator and knower of children, Jeff Mack!

[Miss Sarah]

A boy and his animal friend are supposed to be going to bed but every time they try the animal starts to play instead of go to bed. What will the boy do? Join in or go to bed? Very few words mostly pictures so preschool or one on one.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian]

Only two words are used in conversation between a boy and a gorrilla - playtime and bedtime. It's a silly back and forth book that is a lot of fun to read. You can play with your voice when you read - loud, soft, fast, slow.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[J]

In this cute book, the gorilla just wants to keep playing, even though the little boy says it's bedtime. Mothers can relate to this book, based on one particular response I saw in a group I was reading to.

[Melki]

The gorilla doesn't seem to understand the difference between BEDTIME and PLAYTIME.
This one really made me laugh, as I remember being awakened once at 2 am by the sound of my youngest son riding his rocking horse.

[Viviane Elbee]

This is a very quick read - perfect for bedtime story times when you don't have much time. There are only two words (playtime & bedtime), and the story is one that most kids and parents can relate to.

[Mister David]

"Playtime" and "bedtime" are the only two words of text in this book, but the variety of inflections used by the characters (a boy and his pet gorilla) is able to create an entire story! It's amazing. Of course, the delightful, clever, vivid, and amusing illustrations also help to tell the story.

[Brittany]

I totally plan to buy this for my daughter because she is obsessed with monkeys! This is the perfect beginning reader book.

[Kelly]

This series of Mack's books is very, very cute. In this story, Bear doesn't want bedtime to be bedtime. He wants it to be playtime! But Boy keeps reminding him that it's bedtime.

[Donna Mork]

A new favorite for me. Shows the difference between playtime and sleep time. Very cute.

[Marissa Elera]

Hilarity!

[Luckison]

A funny bedtime story

[Lindsay]

Super simple book with repeating words. Very bright illustrations that fill all the pages and a funny story about one monkey that just doesn't want to go to bed.

[Chris]

A boy and his gorilla explore the fine line between playtime and bedtime.

[Lara Bate]

Play time is a story of a bear who doesn't want to sleep but play instead. It is the boy who tells the bear to sleep but then they end up playing with the ball.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

I think every child who doesn't want to go to bed and every parent who has a child who doesn't want to go to bed can relate to this book.

[Maura]

Simple, funny, and a steady fave these past few months for the 1-year-old I babysit.

[Kyla]

just two words

A colorful story of two friends and two different times of the day. Perfect quick read for a young one year old.

[Johnboy Parker]

Who got the gorilla ??? lol.

[Evan Childress]

Why hasn't anyone mentioned that this is NOT a gorilla? It looks like a chimpanzee. The pictures really tell the story, and it is one I'm sure parents can relate to.

[Bailey Noel]

This children's book by Jeff Mack is great for early readers. There are two main characters in the book, a gorilla and a young boy. The gorilla's playful personality is very attractive to young readers of any age. Also, the situation in the book is one that every parent goes through! The young boy is having trouble putting the gorilla to bed, because the gorilla is in the mood to play. Also, there are too many fun toys laying around to go to bed. The young boy has to try different methods to make the gorilla sleepy.
The font in the book is a great font for children who are just learning how to read, in my opinion. The letters are large and easy to read. Although they are in a style that is not plain and boring. They also contain different colors and designs written in them. Some pages have a few words, and some have none. The author uses cartoonism in his text to give the gorilla an appealing appearance. Some of the pages are bordered, which helps to direct your eyes to the main object.

[Linda]

Cute bedtime story

[Renee]

The large monkey does not want to go to bed. Each time the young child gets him into bed and turns out the lights, the monkey starts playing. Very much like what happens when an adult tries to put a child to bed. Good visual clues for the kids to predict what will happen next. Each time the big monkey says good night, he appears to be sleeping but has one eye open.

The kids really enjoyed this but I had a mom decline to take the book home because she didn't want to encourage her child to play during naptime, like she usually does. Oh, well. It was still a fun read with the preschool group.

[Bethany]

Mack excels once again with a two-word book! "Bedtime!" "Playtime?" So goes the squabble between an energetic gorilla and his beleaguered boy. The boy slowly removes toys from gorilla's room (haven't we all tried that tactic?) and finally yields in a Hail-Mary attempt to induce drowsiness.

The facial expressions take the cake, here. The gorilla, so hopeful, contrasts with the increasingly exhausted boy. In the end, they both win ... or do they?

[Samantha]

A little boy and a fun-loving gorilla square off over bedtime. Each time the boy turns off the light and closes the door, the gorilla finds a way to engage in some late night playtime with all the toys near the bed.

In a twist, the boy gives in and uses playtime to tire the gorilla out and accomplishes his goal in the end, but a silly gorilla pops up one more time with the promise of more mischief.

Mixed media illustrations. PreK-2.

[The Literacy Advocate]

Adorable story of a gorilla and little boy at bedtime. Using only the words playtime and bedtime, and the onomatopoeia word "shh," this charming little story captures the whimsy of the child who just isn't ready to sleep. Lovely illustrations by Mack, especially those showcasing the shadows of light and dark and the casting of light into darkened rooms. A good discussion book for families with small children who are inclined to play when it's bedtime. The gorilla is a real show-stealer.

[Brenda Kahn]

Jeff Mack does so much with so little - words that is. Here, the predominate word is playtime as a little boy takes on the parent role and tries to get his obstinate gorilla to bed. Despite the boy's insistence on bedtime, the gorilla insists it's playtime. Exuberant mixed media illustrations are just delightful. Pay attention to the backgrounds.