Just Go To Bed

Little Critter

by Mercer Mayer

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter is not looking forward to bedtime in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book.

Whether it's time for him to stop playing and take a bath, or when he puts up a fuss getting into is jammies, both parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A great way to introduce children to their very own bedtime routine!

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter stories, which address all the major issues of growing up, are perennial favorites of generations of readers, both young and old!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Kids, Animals, Humor, Family

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Mercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nephew and my niece both have a talent for finding excuses not to go to bed and there is always one more thing they have to do before getting in bed, or a reason to get out of bed. This story is the story of our lives.

Critter does not want to go to bed and he does everything he can to delay bedtime. It’s like scenes from our house. The nephew got excited at the fancy robot Critter was playing with.

We are also now Critter fans in this house as well. The nephew gave this 5 stars again and the niece gave this 3 stars. This was a hit.

[Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my boys when they were little. Both are now in their 40s. Now my three and a half year old grandson is loving it!

[Archit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to best is one of the toughest tasks. The Little Critter seems to agree here.
The illustrations are eye-catching and dialog, humorous.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Mercer Mayer, your "Little Critter" books made my childhood so much more enjoyable.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Critter uses many creative and imaginative tactics to try to avoid going to bed, as much as his Dad wants him to. Eventually all of his efforts tire him out and he falls asleep.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgia!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic from my childhood.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: I'm a cowboy and I round up cows. I can lasso anything. Dad says..."It's time for the cowboy to come inside and get ready for bed."

Premise/plot: Will Little Critter go to bed willingly?! Or will his dad have to get super-creative and match the wits of his son?!

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, SUPER love Little Critter. I grew up on Little Critter books. I'm not sure if I love Little Critter because I grew up with him, or if regardless of when I met him I would see myself.

Quotes:

I'm a space cadet and I zoom to the moon. I capture a robot with my ray gun. Dad says..."This giant robot has captured the space cadet and is going to put him in the bathtub right now."
I'm a sea monster attacking a ship. Dad says, "It's time for the sea monster to have a snack."
I'm a zookeeper feeding my hungry animals. Dad says..."Feeding time is over. Here are the zookeeper's pajamas."

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercer Mayer takes us on an imaginative journey as Little Critter prepares for a good night's rest. Bed time is one of the hardest times for kids, and this book offers an opportunity for young readers to relate. From make believe of being a cowboy lassoing up cows to becoming a sea monster attacking a ship (during bath time), this little guy uses imaginative optimism all throughout. Dad is ever so patient and guides Little Critter through each step of "preparing for bed." By the last page of the book, Little Critter's imagination made him become a bunny, a tired little bunny, who falls asleep. This is a great book for early readers!

[Quanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Go to Bed (little critter) by Mercer Mayer is in the genre of fantasy. It is recommended for kids aged 4-8 years old. The book is about a little who doesn't want to go to bed when his father tells him to. He wants to round up cows and stop the enemy tank in war. The books shows him outside his house playing and in his room. The whole time, his dad keeps saying "come take a bath." And "time for bed." The little critter eventually is tired and gives in to going to bed. I love this book and it is excellent to read to children before bed time.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

YouTube Audiobook version: https://youtu.be/Rf4Tg5ys9AI


4 stars.

I grew up with this series and I still really enjoy them. Kids and adults can relate pretty well to each book.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Just go to Bed" is a book about exactly what the title says. A little critter wants to continue playing and using his imagination to create different personas all while the dad is continuing to try to get him ready for bed. The critter starts off as a cowboy, then it's time for a bath and he "turns" into a general, then a space cadet, and a few others after that. But, each time he changes his persona, his dad is giving him the next step that's needed for him to get ready to go to bed. Finally, he becomes a bunny and decides that tired bunnies can sleep in bed, and he finally falls asleep. This is a good book to read to young children because it teaches them to use their imagination and become anything they want, while also explaining the importance of why we all need to go to bed.

Learning Experience:
In small groups we can discuss each child's ritual that they do before getting into bed, and see if any students have similar things they do and then have them draw themselves in a "pre cutout" bed on construction paper. Afterwards discuss why we need to go to bed when told to.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who didn't love the little critters book series growing up? I had tons of these books and Just go to Bed is a stand out for sure. Because of course like Max I always wanted to stay up. I remember getting these from book fares at school and loved getting each new book. (As a side note I always loved the way the Scholastic book fliers/magazines smelled too, is that just me?) This title was a close favorite of mine and I wish I still had a copy of it now.... sad to say.

Well I'm glad Max is still getting the love he deserves.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mercer Mayer's books; they really focus on the child's feelings about certain things that they like/dislike, such as, in this case, going to bed. I love the illustrations, and the colours just popped-out at me as I was turning the pages. It seemed as though the little ones enjoyed it as well, with them looking at the pages quickly, even though they may not have understood the true meaning. I liked how these books tend to have a meaning, with the secondary characters making important appearances throughout the book.

[Doniell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Little Critter, and it appears my son does too. The quick language, busy pages, and great concepts keep him entertained and give me back-up on manners, language, chores, etc. We like this one specifically because bedtime is hard some nights. On those nights, we read this book so he knows that everyone does the same things he does, and that he must listen and go to sleep.

[Becca S · Rating 5 out of 5]

another Little Critters favorite. I have pondered a small tattoo of the critter on the cover ..just the way he is in those pajamas. I'm pretty sure I had similar pj's once when I was little. LOVE these books.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute children's book, I used to read this all the time when growing up. The illustrations were perfect for the story and age group.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiddo loves this one. Cute story.

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story. Totally loved it!!!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of my favorites from the Little Critter series! It shows a child's imagination and unwillingness to go to bed.

[Redbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun to read

[Crimson_Silence]

I loved these growing up.

[Corinna Angehrn]

I got it for my nephew because Mercer Meyer was one of his mom’s favourites growing up. She seemed pretty pleased.

[Shay Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best little critter book. So funny.

[Joscie Kilburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Critter is testing patience, again.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bedtime story for A.

I'm pretty sure I learned how to procrastinate as a kid from this book.

[Miranda Potratz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book “Just Go to Bed” to my cousin. Overall, she liked the book. I had a good reason to read this book to her. My cousin always finds excuses at night to stall her bedtime. She wondered why I chose such a childish book. My mom read this book to me when I was younger. The child in the book is a little critter and he pretends to be different people, to delay going to sleep. My cousin thought it was funny, because the father played along, until the point where the dad got upset.

The book is about a little boy who has a vivid imagination and pretends to be different characters. His father plays along with him to get him to take a bath, eat a snack and go to bed. His father loses his patience with him when he will not go to bed and stay there. The little critter finally gives up and stays in bed since he is so tired.

The main character in this book is the little critter, a little boy. He is creative and smart. He also does not want to go to sleep. His father is caring and has a lot of patience. He does get mad at the end of the night when the little critter will not stay in his bed and go to sleep.

The story takes place in the present time. Since the characters are not people, the setting is in an imaginary place. The story starts outside and then goes into the house.

I think the theme of the book is to instruct kids to listen to their parents. The father tried all night to get his son to go to bed. He played along with him. The father redirected the boy a few times and tried to be nice, by playing in his games. The boy needed to know that no matter what he tried, he was going to have to go to bed.

I would recommend this book. It is a good book for young children and can help them understand about bedtime. It is also helpful to older kids to remind them about bedtime.

[Katie Easter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Level: preK

This children's fantasy is a cute little book. I wouldn't use this in my classroom because I think it is more of a bedtime story for 3 year olds+ but it was a cute easy read that I think kids would love. I do wish the book would have been a little longer or had a different ending because I think it was a little sudden.

[Maudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade:prek-k
This book might be my favorite of the Little Critter series it has a huge imagination and funny little comebacks from the dad. This book made me laugh extremely loud and I read it a lot and no matter how many times i reread it i was still dying of laughter.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

LC keeps playing different things during the course of preparing for bed. Finally his father loses patience and says "just go to bed"- a situation we all grin at because we've all been there in one form or the other.