Bedtime

Toddler Tools

by Elizabeth Verdick, Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)

Ease little ones into the get-ready-for-bed routine with this warm and cozy bedtime book. Aided by Mom and Dad, a sister and brother enjoy a little snack, relaxing baths, time for brushing teeth, stories, lullabies, back rubs, and hugs. Cheerful, soft illustrations and reassuring text set a tone that helps toddlers feel good about settling down to sleep. (As the narrator explains, “I do my best growing when I’m sleeping.”) In the morning, the children will yawn, stretch, and be a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, and a little bit smarter—all because of a good night’s sleep. Includes tips for parents and caregivers.

Genres: Childrens

24 pages, Board Book

First published July 6, 2000

About the author

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children, now ages 13 and 8, are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for toddlers to teens, and everything in between. She especially loves creating new board book series for toddlers—the latest series is Toddler Tools™, which helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). The Best Behavior™ series helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn™ series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social/emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary– and middle school years. Elizabeth lives with her family and five pets near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a great collection of these books to be had, going back over the last several years. The script is pared back to really junior level – on the main pages, that is, not the two pages of for-adults material at the end each time. There's a sort of rhyming sensibility to many pages – and if there isn't there is an element of repetition that forces a kind of rhyme through anyway. The artist sustained her ability throughout, too, using striking fabric patterns to make her cartoonish characters a lot more detailed than otherwise expected, in a sort of broad-lined cutout style. They all get a strong four stars from me, for their competent and quick lessons.

Manners Time (ISBN 9781575423135) shows the merits of being polite and positive, from our 'hello' and 'goodbye' to saying 'sorry' when we burp or break toys.
Sharing Time (9781575423142) is to get us to share our things – and how to react properly when we're honestly told we can't share someone else's items.
Bedtime (9781575423142) is a lullaby that also gets around to telling us why we're expected to sleep properly – "I do my best growing when I'm sleeping".
On-the-Go Time (9781575423791) is all about getting ready for a day out – and some of the behaviour we should consider when in public, such as the "indoor voice".
Mealtime (9781575423661) is a simple look at a matter-of-fact success of a school lunch, where there is no drama, and everybody tries everything at least once.
Bye-Bye Time (9781575422992) reminds the kid who has had to say goodbye to the parents at the start of the school day that without it there would be no need for that lovely "hello" at the end of it.
Clean-Up Time (9781631981548) turns classroom tidies into pleasures – and classrooms into tidy pleasures at the same time, obviously.
The much newer Outdoor Time (9798885543934) shows a school break spent outside, where the right moves, activity and voice level is different to the ones allowed inside. But it should only be a simple switch on and off, anyway.
Wriggly Time (9798885548021) shows the on-and-off nature of the class physical activity session, too.

Add to those the unseen Naptime, Try-Again Time, Calm-Down Time, and Listening Time volumes, and you have a grand little shelf of very early development guides, all with – to repeat – their own spread of bespoke information for adult consideration.

NB some of the above ISBNs are for a bilingual English-Spanish edition, so double-check first. I have no connection with either creator, or the publishers, and volunteer these honest opinions based on files submitted to edelweiss.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a book with clear steps for bedtime and why it's important (with some additional talking points for parents/caregivers in the back).

Possible red flags: not exactly good for bedtime, since it explains bedtime.

[kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

awkward text. illustrations are comprised of a horrible mismatch of patterns. it's a board book, but the kids in the text seem older than board book age, just doesn't work for me

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the inclusive artwork.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple book about bedtime, and different activities a child might do before they go to sleep.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are great resources for teaching toddlers important skills! The illustrations are colorful and pretty to look at too.

[Andrés · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book calmly moves through the different bedtime steps and it talks about the process of learning and growing during sleep--the why--which is overlooked by most "bedtime routine" books.

[Amber]

1 copy

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really cute book and I just loved how they a sory about someone getting ready for bed and showing the little one that this is how you get ready for bed time.

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book in the series that imparts social norms on small children. Who knew that indoctrination would be requested, by name, by my children?