Go to Bed!

This is a fun Very easy to read, but that just means easier to understand for those little bitty ones. And the main character is #1 a man and #2 is not called dad. so it's a great book for those wonderful mixed families/caregiver families out there.

WHen big daddy bear George informs litte Bartholomew (also known as "Ba"), that it's bedtime, he receives a chorus of "no's" that may sound very familiar to human counterparts. Virginia Miller shows us a range of Ba's emotions, defiant, sad, pleading, tantruming, and angry, as Ba continues to say "Nah!" to bed. The repetition of Nah, to Daddy, to himself, even to the bed, makes this a very funny book. When Daddy lowers the boom and says "in a big voice," "Go to bed!" Bartholomew finally does, and, once, his resistance breaks, the sillies take over: Bartholomew got into bed. He gigled and wriggled, he hid and tiggled, he cuddled and huggled, he snuggled and sighed. There's still a whisper of negativity as Ba softly says "Nah," one last time. With an understanding smile (and maybe a little fatigue), George looks on as Ba finally goes to sleep--wit a smile on his face. A nice, non-preachy look at bedtime conflicts, with soft, simple illustrations, and the recognizable humor of the repeated "Nah!"

I stumbled across this book at the library and decided that I just had to but it. It makes bedtime much more enjoyable - what kid doesn't want to delay bedtime? Now we giggle about the negotiations.

I actually checked this book out of the library for Alex, but it has made its way into the nightly rotation. When Bartholemew says "Nah, nah, nah, nah, NAH!" there is always a giggle, even though he's almost asleep. I can't wait to get 'On Your Potty'.

This book, along with Virginia Miller's other two books about these bears, "Be Gentle!" and "On Your Potty!" are pitched perfectly to the toddler set. In this book, Bartholomew, the toddler bear, resists going to bed even though he is obviously tired. He seems to be waiting for the big bear to set limits, though, because once he is *in* bed, he enjoys his hugs and tickles and (eventually) settles down. Miller's storytelling style miraculously resonates with my child and yet ultimately depicts the outcome that I, as the parent, want to happen - without seeming preachy, heavy handed, or in anyway untrue to life. The artwork is adorable too. Neither one of us has gotten tired of reading this book over and over after many months.