Bubba and Beau Go Night-night

by Kathi Appelt, Arthur Howard (Illustrations)

Sister, it's down the road again in this second outing for Bubba and Beau, best friends who love to go bye-bye. But when the sun goes down, are those two ready for bed? No siree, Bob!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Dogs, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Lives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.

Two sons, both musicians.

Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.

Reviews

[Kary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not care for this book at all. I was annoyed by all the stereotypical Texan things - a pick up truck named Earl, friends named Jim Bob, Roy Bob and Billy Bob, pickled eggs, etc. It's been circulated though, so I'll hold on to it for a while.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Texas is so alien to me. I know WI & MN, MA, NV, and am getting to know MO and OK... but these books by Appelt are, erm, enlightening. Cute enough, though, a gentle parody that gets really funny in bits, as in when we meet Jim Bob, Roy Bob, and Billy Bob.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a baby and puppy spending the day with a relative and having a fun adventure. The narrative is short, with a big font, adorable characters, and fun illustrations. Recommended for reading aloud with toddlers.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how this book celebrates county folks.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Bubba and Beau love to go bye-bye. Whenever Big Bubba went to town, he packed those two up in his trusty pickup, Earl, and off they went.

Premise/plot: Bubba and Beau are back for their second adventure. In this one, Bubba and Beau spend their day with Big Bubba (Bubba's daddy, of course). It is a long, tiring day--with plenty of fun and excitement. So why aren't Bubba and Beau ready to go to bed?!?! How could they not be as tired as Mama Pearl and Big Bubba?!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one! I would definitely recommend reading the first book first. (Bubba and Beau Best Friends.) This second book captures the fun and excitement of a summer day. (It is my best guess that it is summer. They go watermelon thumping and get ice cream too!) It is just as cute and charming as the first book in terms of narrative style.

I think my favorite part was when everyone got ice cream with PLENTY OF NAPKINS. There was just something JOYFUL and wonderful about the illustrations.

It was nice to see a father in a picture book doing a lot of the child care. That isn't always the case. Mama Pearl has a keeper in Big Bubba.

[Pamela Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this series that takes place in Bubbaland -- is still jam packed with very southern (in this case Texas) culture as Bubba and Beau spend their day with Big Bubba doing southern things like riding in Earl, the big red pick-up truck which includes cow horns on the hood and flying an American flag. Fruit stand, post office, feed and seed, and sitting on the front porch with the rest of the guys doesn't seem to tire them out for bed...but Big Bubba has an idea that just might work.

You don't have to read the first book to enjoy the second...but don't miss the first one -- BUBBA AND BEAU BEST FRIENDS.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bubba and Beau Go Night-Night by Kathi Appelt is about how Bubba and Beau spends the day doing errands with his dad all over town. At the end of the story when it's time to go to sleep both Bubba and Beau refused. They don't think it's time to go to sleep. So his dad (Big Bubba) takes them for a ride on his truck all over town again. They go to all the places they had visited during the daytime except now they are all closed for the day. Eventually both Bubba and Beau go to sleep and they head on home where they are put to bed.

[Ariel Cummins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bubba and Beau have a really busy day doing all kinds of Texas-y things - shooting the breeze on a porch, going to the feedstore, and hitting up the fruit stand. Really well-developed story and lots of fun details (pickled eggs!). Even after their busy day, they don't want to go to sleep -- until they get to ride in the truck again.

Loose lines and watercolors give this book a playful feel that fits in just right with the text.

This book is pretty long, so it would really do best in a one-on-one sessions, or to a group of older kids.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun follow up to "Bubba and Beau" the story of a baby and his constant companion, Beau the dog. After a busy day with Dad (Big Bubba) that includes lots of messes and mishaps, Bubba and Beau have trouble falling asleep. How will Big Bubba and Mama Pearl get them to settle down?
Cartoony watercolor illustrations and great voice ("Sister, those napkins came in handy!) make this a fun read-aloud for young children.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cute story, although the title feels a bit misleading. Parents looking for good books to put their children to sleep might do better elsewhere. Most of the story is about the pair riding around town with the Dad, with the going to bed segment only taking up a few pages.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just slightly less appealing for some reason I can't put my finger on.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovable Appelt characters, baby and dog are friends who are not ready to go to sleep. Until they go for a ride in the truck. Love the country feel of these books.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister, it's down the road again in this second outing for Bubba and Beau, best friends who love to go bye-bye. But when the sun goes down, are those two ready for bed? No siree, Bob!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Fun and Folksy kind of book. I liked it!!

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mommy says: The Bubba and Beau books are so sweet!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Bubba and Beau, Best Friends leaps and bounds more than this one.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by far my favorite in the "Bubba & Beau" series. My husband and I both laughed out loud while reading for the first time. I guess we've been there, done all that. My kids were quite engaged with these books. And I just can't help but read them with my best Southern accent. ;)