Rabbit's Bedtime

by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

What was good about today? Thus begins this lyrical invitation to reflect on a day well spent. In gloriously simple fashion, Rabbit's Bedtime illustrates the satisfying balance of creating, sharing, thinking, and learning that sustains every child. Above all, it reveals the power of love. A sweet enticement to reflect on the events of the day before nodding off to sleep

Genres: Picture Books, Spanish Literature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 1999

About the author

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace attended the University of Connecticut, and majored in sociology and psychology with a minor in art history, then continued on for a master’s degree in child development.

For many years, she worked at Yale-New Haven Hospital with children and teenagers as Child Life Specialist helping children to understand what was going to happen if they needed to have a medical test or an operation or a cast.

Then she took two adult education courses, one was about traditional Scherenschnitt (share- en -sssh -nit) scherren means scissors, schnitt means cut. The other was about writing and illustrating children’s books. When she brought in a
cut-paper illustration, the teacher said, “You’ve found your medium!”

Nancy is married to Peter Banks. They have been married for more than 30 years. He is a high school Physics teacher.

They live in Branford, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Abby Peskin]

This is a sweet, yet simple book about the things to be grateful for at the end of the day. Upon reflecting at bedtime, the characters in this story think about the things in that day that made them feel grateful. This book would be a great conversation starter for children about what made them feel grateful during their day.

[Allie C]

This is probably literally my 1st childhood baby book! I have grown up with this book and I still read it hear and there! It’s such a sweet little book and I will never get rid of it. It has a special place in my heart! As a 14 year old, pls read this to ur toddlers it’s so cute :D

[Kathryn]

I’ve been thinking a lot about bilingual books—and by that I don’t just mean books that are either translated or use dialogue that’s a hybrid of English and another language—I mean books that feature two languages. Last week I read a book of Polish poetry that had the Polish on one page and the English translation on the facing page, and this rhyming picture book had the Spanish text with the English translation below. While I don’t know more than the basics of Spanish and a few words in Polish, I found it interesting to see the choices in translation. Sometimes rhythm and rhyme were sacrificed for clarity, and other times the poetry of both languages fit so perfectly, it was hard to tell which was the original language.

[Linda]

Little Rabbit cuddles with his dad at bedtime, reviewing, in simple rhyming verse, all the things they did today. From housework to reading to playing with friends, Rabbit's day was a pleasant one indeed. Dropping off to sleep with happy thoughts is always a good thing. Perhaps the best feature of Rabbit's Bedtime is the artful illustrations, formed of basic shapes in construction paper colors. This is a lovely little story to read to under-three's, or to serve as an early reader for somewhat older kids.

[Tommy]

This is a perrenial bedtime favorite. The boys alternate between getting upset and laughing hysterically if we read it in Spanish.

[Danny]

This is a perrenial bedtime favorite. The boys alternate between getting upset and laughing hysterically if we read it in Spanish.

[Sharon]

The boys like to have us read this one in Spanish. It is a very calming bedtime book.

[Dan Wilson]

With rhymes and colorful illustrations, this book encourages toddlers to dreamily reflect on the highlights of their day as they prepare for bed.

[Jenn]

Read in Spanish.

[Naomi]

My favorite Nancy Wallace book so far. This one encourages kids to reflect on their day and be thankful. Great way to teach young ones to process their day and find things to show gratitude for.

[The Literacy Advocate]

Books-for-Babies: used 10/11/16