Good Night, Good Night

by Sandra Boynton

A boatload of animals gets ready for bed, and two rabbits sing them to sleep. Includes words and music to the song.

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

36 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children's author, and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five books for children and seven general audience books, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and seven music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it said, "longer edition" I really really hoped there would be SOME explanation about why the animals take a bath and then all go up to exercise, and THEN go to bed. This question has plagued me for years. Why? WHY?

There's no explanation. I continue to be plagued.

My kids were both SUPER pumped about this version though.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This longer version of the popular The Going to Bed Book is the original 1985 hardcover version with new drawings by the author. As in The Going to Bed Book, several animals are on a boat and they go through their bedtime routine which is described in rhyme.

The pictures have been changed from the original board book, in that colors of certain things have been altered, certain figures have been placed differently on the page, and there are several additional spreads that are found only in this longer version. There is noting substantively different about the pictures that have simply been altered; the additional illustrations add in a scene showing the characters' sleeping arrangements and the music to sing along with two bunnies who perform a lullaby.

This is a great read-aloud, but it's important to figure out how to sing the lullaby before sharing it with an audience. The notes are easily picked out on a piano and the tune is not hard to learn, but it would not be ideal to go into a story time without having worked out the tune ahead of time. Otherwise, this is pretty much a guaranteed story time hit. Boynton is beloved for books of this type, and having this nice full-size version to add into a story time repertoire will be a boon for most libraries and classrooms. I will most likely use it in a night-time themed story time at my house this fall.

This book makes the mundane bedtime routine look like fun. The images of the characters rushing around to prepare for sleep are filled with fun energy, but when the characters begin to yawn and get into bed, the mood shifts in a way that can really help little ones make the transition to bedtime. It's an excellent bedtime story and an all-around excellent picture book for Boynton fans to appreciate anew.

I received a finished review copy of Good Night, Good Night from Little Simon in exchange for an honest review.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Good Night, Good Night by Sandra Boynton, the original, longer version of the author/illustrator’s massively popular The Going To Bed Book.

After nearly 40 years in circulation, The Going To Bed Book gets an expansion based on Boynton’s original 1985 version, with redrawn illustrations to accompany the evergreen bedtime tale’s new layout. Fans of the story will enjoy the familiar rhyming text as it follows a motley group of animals at sea as they prepare for bedtime – brushing teeth, taking a bath, putting on jammies, and even working in a spot of exercise to get out that last minute energy. New scenes include cuddling into bed and a performance by two bunnies of a jaunty song about dreams of playing in the mud (including lyrics and musical notation). At last, the animals cut the lights and let the ocean gently rock them to sleep.

For nearly the entire first two years of JJ’s life, her bedtime routine included reading The Going To Bed Book, a perfectly paced and executed book that readers have been enjoying for decades. So naturally, we were excited to read this expanded version, and we weren’t disappointed! Boynton’s illustrations include all the fun and familiar visuals of the original, spaced out and with additional details to spot but otherwise effortlessly merging old with new. The addition of the song changes the story’s rhythm a bit, but JJ enjoyed the silly, simple tune immensely. Both versions are delightful in their own way, and present an opportunity to caregivers who can start with the board book version for very little bookworms, then introduce the expanded version as they grow. Overall, this was a treat – a fresh and fun new version of an undisputed classic. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two year old is Sandra Boynton’s biggest fan. She saw this book on a display of new books at the library and started geeking out (very cutely). We read it right then and there, brought it home, and she is constantly either flipping through the pages on her own or trying to get someone to read it to her.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Shandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the Going to Bed book to my kids eleventy-billion times, it felt a little weird at first to read a longer version, but now it's just more book to love! (Like many reviewers, I have been puzzled for over two decades by the exercising before bed part of the story, but it always gave me and the kids a giggle.)

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sandra Boynton, I love you, but the order of nighttime tasks just DON'T MAKE SENSE. I do appreciate the little song that's included in this longer version.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new picture book version, “completely redrawn by the author for its 36th anniversary,” of the beloved Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. Each page of the old board book now has a full page spread, the better to enjoy the adorable sleepyheaded animals on their journey to bed. And there are a few new pages, stretching out the bedtime routine a little more. Boynton’s wonderful rhyming and classic roly-poly animals are just as adorable as ever. An extra bonus: “Every copy come with a free pair of imaginary singing rabbits”! Perfect for accompanying the reader on a new song, complete with musical notation, beginning with “The hip-pos, big hip-pos, will dance in the mud. The pig-gies will follow them in; and down in that hol-low will el-e-phants wal-low in mud that comes up to the chin!” New levels of cuteness!

[Danielle T · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up. It's another good night book by Sandra Boynton- have not read the Going to Bed book before so idk the changes. I.... don't know why they're on a boat, or why we exercise before bed (though it reminds me of my Yeh-Yeh doing steps and exercises while watching the ten o'clock news before bed).

Plus, sheet music. We love to see music in a children's book even though I definitely made up the melody the first time before checking on my keyboard (I am definitely not a sightsinger and only remember that sixths are "my bonnie lies over the ocean" and fifths are "twinkle twinkle little star" re opening intervals... but I appreciate that the time signature was all the same unlike The Animal Song).

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorist, cartoonist, and children’s-book rock star Sandra Boynton is out with a new expanded version of her perennial best-seller The Going to Bed Book called Good Night, Good Night. It has all the original charm, with beautifully integrated additions that make it even more fun.

I loved this book because it included all the silly fun of the first book, plus a song and new scenes. If you’ve got young children, they will learn from this book that going to bed isn’t just a routine; it’s a seafaring adventure.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/san...

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocking on the waves with this friendly group of animals invites to calming dreams.

It's bedtime on the ship, which is sailing at sea, and the animal crew needs to get ready. They run below deck, get dressed, brush teeth, and, at one point, settle into bed.

This is an original twist on good night stories, which does call for calm and sweet dreams. The idea of having animals at sea...without saying much but just placing them on a boat...is fun. The animals range from elephants to rabbits, a large bunch. They do everything together, which makes for a bit of chaos but so much familiar warmth. There are a lot of good feelings in these pages, which give security and the sense of belonging.

The words are very simple, allowing the illustrations to carry much of the tale. These portray the animals in a way, which is great for young listeners and makes it hard not to want to be friends with these animals, too. There's a lullaby toward the end of the book with the notes, which can then be sung right along as the rabbits do their singing.

All the elements needed to soothe young bedtime goers into sleep seem to be in these pages...and it left me also wondering what other adventures this group might have someday.
I received an ARC copy and found this to be a very well done bedtime read.

[Amanda Batarseh · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a very cute book. the perfect book to read to your kids before bed time especially. I loves how the pictures took up most of the pages and how the words took up less space. This book was about a bunch of animals on a boat getting ready for bed and what they do. they all take a bath then brush there teeth and then sing a lullaby. Cute book!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute Sandra Boynton charm! Would work great as a bedtime book. But why are the animals exercising in their pajamas and after their bath?? The inclusion of the several lines of music bars worked ok for me since I can sightread music, but I can see a lot of parents just skipping that page if they don't know how the song goes (and don't think to look up the song online).

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an expanded version of the 1982 board book, the Going to Bed Book. It is absolutely gorgeous filled with warmth and humor as a boatload of animals get ready for bed. I read this to my granddaughter over FaceTime and the colorful illustrations and bouncy rhymes held her attention and had her sucking her thumb and resting her head on her father's shoulder by the end.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Oxford Public Library. I picked it because we are working our way through all of Sandra Boynton's books.

He liked the board book version, so I thought the longer version would be fun to try. As expected, Jack enjoyed the story. It took him a couple pages to get into it, but then he sat by me on the couch and listened. I think the elephants, helped, as usual.

[Rebekah Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book had an enchanting rhythm that made it easy to follow. I also loved the inclusion of a melody in the text. The pictures added to the charm of the book, and I liked that the characters were animals. I think this book would be good for children to learn about nighttime routines.

[Binxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect bedtime book for fans of Boynton. An extended version of The Going to Bed book, this is an absolute delight. The size, the illustrations, the text, the song, it all works so well. Makes this reader look forward to more of her extended versions of her some of her classics.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bedtime book has it all and is great for toddler storytime. There are lots of opportunities to act motions out, go through a familiar routine, sing, and a familiar cast of characters for all Sandra Boynton fans. The pictures are bold and simple!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, rhyming while slightly unusual bedtime book. Colorful illustrations, not my favorite but still good. LOVE the sunset on the first pages and black pages when talking about the moon. I like the addition of the song, but just wish we could read music.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animals on a ship go through their bedtime routine. This is a cute going to bed book, but I did wonder why they exercise after putting on pajamas and brushing their teeth. That doesn't make much sense to me. Otherwise, it's pretty cute with Sandra Boynton's signature humor.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful as always

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this one to my children, it was called The Going to Bed Book. This one has some extra content, including a song. I read it to one of my preschool storytime groups and the kiddos loved it. They found it funny and enjoyed the illustrations.

A group of animal friends on a boat who get ready for bed. They exercise, brush their teeth, get in their jammies, have a lullaby and finally go to sleep. There is some STEAM vocabulary - head and foot, big and small, to top and beneath to name a few.

The original has been a staple since 1982 and this one is a lovely addition.

[Kelly]

I didn't know there was a longer version! Unless of course she wrote it just for this anniversary.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great bedtime story in rhyme about animals on a boat that looks like an ark. They go through their nighttime routine before being lulled to sleep. Cute illustrations.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im not 3 so I didn't get the appeal of this one 🤷‍♂️

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun, still a classic

[skcocnaH · Rating 2 out of 5]

All of the bathing and sleeping together was a little awkward.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I actually like the shorter board book better =)

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.66 Sandra Boynton brings us more going to bed fun, with new illustrations. Read my full review here.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sleepy ship filled with animals in pajamas is a perfect image to help encourage my own crew to start their bedtime routine. A classic.