Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep

by Joyce Dunbar, Joyce Dunbar

Willa is afraid of bad dreams, so her big brother, Willoughby, helps her think of the happy things that await her in the morning--cozy slippers to warm her feet, a yummy breakfast, and the sun that gently nudges her awake.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Rabbits, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Joyce Dunbar is an English author of over seventy children’s books, best known for Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go To Sleep, This Is The Star, and the Mouse and Mole series. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, she studied English at Goldsmiths College before teaching drama until hearing loss led her to write full time in 1989. Her first children’s book appeared when she was 35, followed by works such as Mundo and the Weather-Child, which explored the experiences of a deaf child and earned critical recognition. Her stories have been adapted for stage, television, and interactive media, with Mouse and Mole becoming a 26-part animated series. She has also been an advocate for deaf awareness, cycling across Cuba for charity. Dunbar lives in Norwich.

Reviews

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book as a child. This is a lovely story about sibling love told through Willa and Willoughby. Willa wants to know something happy before she goes to sleep so her older brother takes her round the house showing her all the happy things. Children could adopt this strategy if they are feeling worried or sad to help them think of happy things. There could be links to PSHE with the children discussing Willa’s feelings throughout the book. The illustrations are lovely to look at and calming which helps with the happiness of the book. There are lots of themes including love, happiness, worry and imagination.

[Mahdiye Fateh · Rating 4 out of 5]

زینب، هنوز کتاب تمام نشده رفت دنبال بازی جذابترش. اما خودم تا آخرش را دوست داشتم. مخصوصا صفحه پایانی:
فردا صبح هم که بیدار شوم تو همین جا هستی؟ این از همه چیز خوشحال کننده تر است.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully sweet, reassuring bedtime story from Joyce Dunbar with snuggly-adorable illustrations by Debi Gilori. I loved how the story centers on an older brother helping his sister overcome her reluctance to fall asleep (for fear she'll have nightmares) by showing her all the things that are eagerly awaiting the morning--all happy thoughts for her to focus on so her mind will drift off to sleep worry-free. (Reminds me of the fabulous big brother Charlie of "Charlie and Lola") Highly recommended for all wee ones who fear what nighttime may bring.

[Niken · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And when the morning comes and wakes me up, will you still be here?" asked Willa.

"I'll still be here," said Willoughby.

"Good," said Willa. "That's the happiest thing of all!"

"Good night, Willa."


Hmmmm.... (^-^)

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Almost too sweet, but not quite. Comforting to adults as well as to children. And best of all, the happy things don't depend much at all on the circumstances of the family. Almost everyone has slippers, can hear birdsong (or at least calls or coos), and has breakfast.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی: قبل از اینکه بخوابم چیزی بگو خوشحالم کند

[Sparrow Alden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best.
Book.
Ever.

[Leeanne Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightfully sweet book about two bunnies which are brother and sister. Little bunny Willa is reluctant to fall asleep because she is afraid of having bad dreams. Willa’s older brother Willoughby, comforts Willa by reminding her of all the happy things (her chicken slippers, her blue and white jumpsuit, ingredients for breakfast, her toys and the morning itself) that are eagerly awaiting her in the morning.

Joyce Dunbar has written this story in a way that is simple, but meaningful, with lovely coloured illustrations by Debi Gilori. These illustration compliments the text which allows the reader to engage in the story line.

This book would be suitable for children ranging from age 4 to 7. It has the potential to supplement schoolwork within early years and Key Stage 1, offering an introductory opening to literacy, which will introduce children to poem writing and vocabulary (uses repetitive speech that reinforces word recognition and the learning of new vocabulary). It may also serve as a useful tool to other curriculum subjects such as PSHE, i.e. when discussing topics within PSHE syllabus such as feelings, emotions and friendships.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and reassuring book about the love and support a lucky child can find in an older sibling. Little bunny Willa can't go to sleep because she is afraid of having bad dreams. Big brother Willoughby says and does all the right things to put his sister at ease. He tells her that her chicken slippers are waiting for nobody's feet but hers. The bread and honey and oats and milk and apples in the kitchen are all waiting to be made into breakfast for brother and sister to share. Her toys are dreaming of tomorrow and the games they will play. Accompanying this sweet story are softly colored illustrations that show a young child's world.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, comforting bedtime book. Willa is having trouble sleeping, so her brother reminds her of all the happy things around her, and all that she has got to look forward to tomorrow. It's a very warming story that is completely relatable; Willa doesn't want to go to sleep as she worried that she will have nightmare, but with her brothers help she falls right to sleep. There are strong themes of family and anxiety around sleep, so if one of your little ones is having trouble with nightmares this would be a great book to read to, or with them. The illustrations are great, and Willa and Willoughby are very cute looking so it makes for a great bedtime story. The text is also very clear so it may also make a good reading book as it uses relatively simple sentences and easy to sound words. I think this could also be used as a classroom reading book, possibly as a shared reading book, as the illustrations perfectly represent what is being said. I would use this book in Reception to Year 1, and possibly with Year 1 you could do a hot seating session with both Willa and Willoughby. You could also make a class poster of all the things that make them happy before they go to sleep. Overall, a very warming book from my childhood.

[Maria Logan-Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable little book, Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep, by Joyce Dunbar, “What do you do when your little bunny is afraid of bad dreams, and just can’t get to sleep?” Well, the answer is to think of happy things, of course.

Willa can’t sleep, and after tossing and turning, she asks Willoughby if he is asleep. It seems Willa is afraid of having bad dreams. After Willoughby points out many things that make Willa happy, she falls asleep, cuddling her stuffed bear.

Sometimes all it takes for little ones to be able to fall asleep is gentle comforting from the ones they trust most. Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep has beautiful illustrations by Debi Gliori on cardboard pages that are just right for little hands.

Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer.

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was read this book as a child and it definitely made me feel happy and content before I would fall asleep. The story itself is sweet, but I think the illustrations are what make it a warm and cozy feel book. There are dark colors mainly used because it's nighttime, but somehow they give the reader a sense of calmness. Willa has worries that she will have a bad dream, so her older brother helps her think of all of the happy things she could dream about instead. I really like how there is an older sibling helping the younger sibling as opposed to a parent. This could help young children who have an older sibling as a guardian to relate to this story more. This is also a good book to read to young children who fear going to bed will bring them worries and bad dreams.

[Samantha Ledesma · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a combination of pleasant visuals and soothing words, this book is filled with positive reminders about the world which can sometimes feel scary for little kids, especially in the dark. This is a gem for any bookshelf. It resonated with me because of the relationship between the two main characters Willoughby and Willa. Willoughby is Willa's big brother, who takes on the responsibility of showing Willa around their home to chase away her nighttime fears. Growing up sharing a room with my little sister, I remember this routine vividly. It's nice to see it spelled out so beautifully with the story and illustration present in Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep.

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comforting book with strategies the reader can employ themselves. There are *many* happy things, which hopefully make the book long enough for a little one to become drowsy. The scale of the book--both size of the book itself and the large text--is a winner, and Willa's carrot and lettuce pajamas are 10/10. I did wonder after a while if Willoughby was Willa's father instead of brother, though. He is very patient and mature!

[carrietracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this bedtime book. Little Willa is struggling to fall asleep so her big brother Willoughby tells her all sorts of soothing happy things. It is very soothing, very sweet and I think would be great for kids who have trouble getting their minds to rest, or think happy thoughts at bedtime.

[Connor Filipovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is meant to be read to children who struggle with nightmares, but it is also a book that can just be read for entertainment. The characters in this book are very cute, and the illustrations portray them very well. The book will help children with nightmares by helping them think about all of the good stuff that will happen the upcoming day when the sun comes up.

[Aimée-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book originally belonged to my little sister, and I remember it well due to the countless times she made me read it to her. It now belongs to my son and he picked it out as his bedtime story. He enjoyed it. I lost count of the many times I said ‘Willa’ and ‘Willoughby’ it seemed a little excessive.

[Hiba Yuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how it's a sibling and not a parent that's helping her get back to sleep. I did wonder where the parents were, lol. And then I come to the last page where the mom is peeking in, and it's just so heartwarming and so endearing! 💕

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept and artwork. Only thing I disliked is that the dialogue style means the characters' names get repeated in every single line! ("Willoughby?", said Willa. "Yes Willa?", replies Willoughby.) Gets tedious.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa the bunny is having a hard time sleeping. Her brother Willoughby helps her out by telling her lots of happy comforting things such as her basket of toys is waiting for her to come play with them the next day. A sweet good night book, but probably not one for me to revisit.

[Ian McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, gentle, bedtime story for any small child who is waking and having nightmares or is a bit scared of the dark. Perfect way to frame going to sleep. A regular go to from now on for Eadie and I.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, of a big brother helping his little sister (Willa) go to sleep by thinking of all the happy things. It reminds me of a grateful list, thinking of all the good things that happened in the day.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to love this one, but I found the constant back and forth dialogue to be bulky. A lot of “he said” and then “she said”. I loved the illustrations in this one though, and thought they did a really nice job of telling the story through images.

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet little book about an older brother helping a little sister go to sleep. a few more words on the page so probably easier for a kid 2 years and older. cute little illustrations. overall a nice bedtime book.

[Lmorrow0930 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My older sister read it to me all the time when I was little, and I loved it!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book to read to children on the second day of school when nerves the night before kept them up. This would also be a very good book to read to pass up some time.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute board book about a brother helping his little sister sleep. They walk around the house looking at good things and thinking happy thoughts.

Probably for older toddlers.

[Bonch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to parents.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's cute