Kim's Children's Lit Blog: Fantasy

In Not Last Night but the Night Before, nursery rhyme characters come knocking on a boy's door. Everyone from the man in the moon to Little Bo-peep come running in with party clothes and presents. As the story goes on, the little boy is weary when approaching the door as they keep running him over in excitement. However, to the boy's surprise, all the characters came to celebrate his birthday.

This book was very fun to read. It is musically appealing with its repetition, rhythm, and rhyme. The illustrations were vibrant and supported the text well. I think both adults and children will really enjoy this book. Adults will recognize many if not all of the characters that are included in this book. It will undoubtedly bring back memories of when they heard these nursery rhymes as they relate to how each character enters the boy's house. Children will also enjoy it even if they don't recognize the characters from the illustrations to the funny version of happy birthday sung at the end.

Title: Not Last Night but the Night Before

Author: Colin McNaughton

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: 9780763644208

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Melody loves her dreams, because she had a special friend. She tried to coax him out of her dreams to play with her, but it didn't work. One day at the playground, she felt lonely and wished her dream friend was with her, so she thought about the fun they had in her dream. She was dancing when a little girl asked her if she was playing a game. They started playing together and soon everyone else joined in too.

Dream Friends is a cute story about friendship. I really enjoyed the illustrations, because the way the illustrator used the colors made it seem dream-like and magical. She chose sunset colors along with blues and purples. This story is great for children, because it shows that dreams can come true. Although it didn't come true the way she originally wanted, it eventually turned out alright if not better.

Title: Dream Friends

Author: You Byun

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Publication Date: 2013

ISBN: 9780399257391

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

As the caterpillars go to bed, they each have their own caterpillows. However, one naughty caterpillar decides to wake the others up for a caterpillow fight. This goes on until big caterpillar comes in to scold them. Now, when they all go to bed, there is only one long caterpillow for their heads.

This story will be very enjoyable for children, and it can a fun bedtime story. Children will laugh at moments in the story. They may even enjoy reading along as there is rhyming throughout the text. However, it may be a tongue twister at times. The illustrations are appealing and the caterpillars are very cute. Children will enjoy the illustrations with the little caterpillars and their pillows with feathers flying everywhere.