When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book

by Greg Pizzoli

Discover where creatures go when the sun goes down in this interactive and rhythmic bedtime read for sleepy animal lovers by an award-winning creator!

Butterfly
Butterfly

Where do you go?
Where do you go
when the sun goes down?

I go under a leaf.
I find a good leaf,
and crawl underneath.

The sun is going down and creatures outside and inside the house are ready for sleep. But where do they go? Come along as a young girl spends her evening learning just where butterflies and kittens go to get their rest. Through soothing and interactive dialogue, the creatures answer the question “where do you go when the sun goes down?” until the girl finally makes her way safe and sound to bed.

Perfect for curious children and restless readers who need one more story before bed, this engaging picture book gives readers a peek into the nighttime habits of some of their favorite creatures. Award-winning author Greg Pizzoli's gentle rhythmic text and snug illustrations make this the perfect last read before turning out the light.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Nature, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Greg Pizzoli is the author and illustrator of The Watermelon Seed, winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, Number One Sam, Templeton Gets His Wish, Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower, and coming in April 2016, Good Night Owl. He lives in Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents are always in search of great bedtime stories for young children. This adorable picture book is a good choice for a new bedtime story. Going to sleep when the sun is gone is an idea that young children will relate to.

Where does a butterfly go when the sun goes down? Where does a little ant go when the sun goes down? Where does a pet kitty go when the sun goes down? All of these questions are answered in the story. Where does your young child go when the sun goes down? They go to bed of course. Young children will be eager to follow the lead of all of the little animals that are featured in the book when they go to their space for sleeping.

Pizzoli contributes his talents as an illustrator to provide the adorable and colorful illustrations for his book.

This picture book will be published on April 7, 2026. It has an ISBN of 978-0-593-64980-0.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good choice for a bedtime or naptime read aloud, this picture book follows a child who asks various animals where they sleep. The rhythmic text and repeated question of "Where do you go when the sun goes down?" has a lulling effect on listeners, and the fact that various animals, including a butterfly, an ant, and even a cat, among others, respond allows youngsters to learn a little about each animal and where it sleeps. The question-and-answer element of the last portion of the book adds variety to the read. The illustrations, created with a brush pen, screen printed, and then collaged, add interesting visual appeal to the story as well as a feeling of warmth and comfort.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bedtime ST. Night ST. Love the Greg P. This is a perfect book for a bedtime ST. It's short, has rhyme, has the kids do a silly No at the end when it asks a silly question. It also has bright colorful images and plenty to ask about in the images to get kids more engaged. Not as silly has his other books..but still just as good a read aloud.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Pizzoli is one of my absolute favorite storytime authors for something goofy and fun and maybe a little unhinged (see: my undying love for Lucky Duck) and I was genuinely shocked when I read through to this one and it was just...a normal, sweet storytime book? And it was so good. What can't Greg Pizzoli do??

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Pizzoli's newest book is cleverly written patterned story which asks the question Where do you go when the sun goes down? A young girl asks that question to a butterfly, ant, bird, fish, cat and listens to their answers. Then she answers the question for herself. The book is a great bedtime read but also a very accessible read for young children.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

A familiar, yet fresh, exploration of the patterns and places and rhythms that creatures experience as they nestle into their evening sleep. It could stand its own alongside M. Fox's Time to Sleep. Rhythmic, lyrical, and inventive.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those rare, magical books that just hits every note. Fabulous illustrations, science concepts perfectly suited for preschoolers, and a rhythmic, repeating text perfect for storytimes and read-alouds. I love it when all the pieces come together to create a beautiful reading experience.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent bedtime story for preschoolers. Cumulative text has a child asking different animals where they go when the sun goes down, ending with the child being asked where she goes when the sun goes down.

[Kelly]

This was a decent book.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice way to telling who sleeps where.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl discovers where creatures go when the sun goes down. Where does she go?

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect bedtime book for the kids to explore the different things animals do when the sun goes down.
Cute illustrations!

[Mompop · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun for storytime!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple question/answer style story of a young girl learning where various creatures go to sleep when the sun goes down.

Recommended for storytime.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute little girl asks different insects and animals where they go when the sun goes down. This one has a rhythmic and soothing tone. Perfect for bedtime!

Mia’s 3rd Year of Books: Day 53

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shareable, readable, enjoyable.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old daughter read this out loud no problem.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toddler and preschool
Rhyming text