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Humphrey's Bedtime
The great thing about being big (as every older sibling knows and flaunts) is that you get to stay up later than your younger brothers and sisters. On the other hand, staying up late isn't always all it's cracked up to be. Adorable little elephant Humphrey, whom we met in Humphrey's Corner, looks on in bemusement as his big sister Lottie gloats over her privileges: "I don't go to bed yet. I am a BIG GIRL." Humphrey has a lovely time in his bath, enjoys a hot milk and buttery toast supper, and gets all snuggly and sleepy as his mother reads him his favorite fairy tale. Meanwhile, Lottie, who has declined all bedtime rituals, is becoming hot and cranky.
Sally Hunter's pastel-colored pencil and watercolor illustrations are filled with details of a cozy home life, while her simple, toddler-like text depicts the sometimes complicated desires of children. Bed-shy kids will see bedtime in an entirely new light, whether they identify with Lottie or Humphrey. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 22, 2011
So sweet! I found this on the bargain shelf at B&N and, after I read it, I knew it would have to come home with me. Most of the charm is in the illustrations, which made me feel so happy and cozy and peaceful. Perfect for bedtime! The story, while lacking much narrative interest (it's mostly a compilation of various activities of Humphrey and his siblings as they get ready for bed), does contain some very cute moments capturing perfectly a child's imagination with playtime and I loved the overall result.
For those who can't obtain a copy of the book, here's the Humphrey website:
http://www.humphreys-corner.com/all-a...
For those who can't obtain a copy of the book, here's the Humphrey website:
http://www.humphreys-corner.com/all-a...
April 24, 2008
MY SUMMARY: Humphrey and his family are preparing for bed, youngest first and then older siblings. Oldest daughter doesn't think she needs to go to bed yet because she is a big girl.
This book has beautiful pastel illustrations by the author that will engage any toddler or school age child. The story is simple and follows normal bedtime routines that would be familiar to them. The story doesn't seem to follow a natural reading rhythm for me. It seems like an abbreviated story that skips a sentence here or there. The general idea is there, but you need the pictures to fill in word/thought gaps.
A favorable review is found at Kirkus via this link: http://books.google.com/books?id=JToK...
The reviewer spends a large part of the review on restating the story which is about as long as the book itself. The storyline is described as "funny and sentimental" with illustrations of "scenes of domestic tranquility."
A second review by Jane Marino of Scarsdale Library is found in Cahners Business Information. Link: http://books.google.com/books?id=JToK...
This reviewer also commented on storyline and soft pastel illustrations, but noted something I had not ... "hand lettered" text adds a touch of youth to the story.
This book has beautiful pastel illustrations by the author that will engage any toddler or school age child. The story is simple and follows normal bedtime routines that would be familiar to them. The story doesn't seem to follow a natural reading rhythm for me. It seems like an abbreviated story that skips a sentence here or there. The general idea is there, but you need the pictures to fill in word/thought gaps.
A favorable review is found at Kirkus via this link: http://books.google.com/books?id=JToK...
The reviewer spends a large part of the review on restating the story which is about as long as the book itself. The storyline is described as "funny and sentimental" with illustrations of "scenes of domestic tranquility."
A second review by Jane Marino of Scarsdale Library is found in Cahners Business Information. Link: http://books.google.com/books?id=JToK...
This reviewer also commented on storyline and soft pastel illustrations, but noted something I had not ... "hand lettered" text adds a touch of youth to the story.
June 19, 2017
I love reading novels to my children, especially when they are ones that promote more reading to my kids, because they relate to something that they already know and enjoy- like a popular kid's TV show or they at least remind them of something they have seen.
I have enjoyed this novel with my children from the beginning until the end, it was very well written and I felt like everyone was satisfied by the way things were done. My five year-old is very bright for his age and will usually tell me if something just doesn't make since to him; however, he found this novel enjoyable and could compare it to his bedtime routine with his younger sister.
I have enjoyed this novel with my children from the beginning until the end, it was very well written and I felt like everyone was satisfied by the way things were done. My five year-old is very bright for his age and will usually tell me if something just doesn't make since to him; however, he found this novel enjoyable and could compare it to his bedtime routine with his younger sister.
January 8, 2023
Beautifully illustrated book which reminds children to sometimes just give in to their sleepiness and let their parents take care of them. Lovely imagery throughout, the year 1 class I read this too were really engaged as I read this and it also had quite a relaxing affect on them!
February 25, 2026
Checked out from Kilbourn Public Library 📚 in Wisconsin…this is my life, dads for the win
September 12, 2013
A sweet book about a family with 3 kids who are getting ready for bed. The baby goes down first, followed by Humphrey's bedtime preparations and his big sister Lottie's delays.
The illustrations are beautifully adorable and parents everywhere will recognize the chaos and sweetness of bedtime with young children.
The book is a bit incorrectly named, as there is equal (perhaps more) story devoted to Lottie than Humphrey. It's also a little disjointed and some of the narrative is actually in the pictures, making it harder for younger toddlers to follow.
Nonetheless, the illustrations alone would make this one a great story to wind down before a little one's bedtime.
The illustrations are beautifully adorable and parents everywhere will recognize the chaos and sweetness of bedtime with young children.
The book is a bit incorrectly named, as there is equal (perhaps more) story devoted to Lottie than Humphrey. It's also a little disjointed and some of the narrative is actually in the pictures, making it harder for younger toddlers to follow.
Nonetheless, the illustrations alone would make this one a great story to wind down before a little one's bedtime.
April 24, 2016
I'm not sure how effective this book would be reading it to a child as a bedtime book. You'd need the right kid to focus on all the fun Humphrey gets to have and not on the fact that Lottie is supposedly staying up later (or at least doesn't have to do all the teethbrushing kind of stuff in her playing and protesting).
At the same time, I loved the illustration style and the general tone of the book. I just think it reads better for the parents.
At the same time, I loved the illustration style and the general tone of the book. I just think it reads better for the parents.
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July 6, 2019It's an easy read, with concepts & processes familiar to us all. Sibling jealousy is part of the story, but its presentation is perfect for a bedtime read. See more in the full review.
March 17, 2016
Lottie knows she does not need to go to bed early; she is a big girl and she has lots of dolls and stuffed animals that need tending to. Tend she does, finally wearing down into what any parent will recognize as a small meltdown. Perfect depiction of children at bedtime. Brilliant.
September 13, 2016
The illustrations in this are adorable. The story is also flows better than the slightly abridged version we own (a bargain book edition). A cute story about Humphrey and big sister Lottie and their very different bedtime routines.
March 8, 2014
It was cute. I love the illustrations!
Apparently Lottie thought she was a mommy haha
A little girl like that would be a little annoying, but I see how cute it can be too
A child's mind is a wonder :)
Apparently Lottie thought she was a mommy haha
A little girl like that would be a little annoying, but I see how cute it can be too
A child's mind is a wonder :)
June 2, 2015
Adorable illustrations and a storyline familiar to parents, I would have given this five stars apart from the cop out of Mum-elephant leaving it to Dad-elephant to put his elephant-foot down about getting to bed. Come on, stop undermining us elephant-women.
March 16, 2011
Great drawings to the story!
February 25, 2012
This is my 5 year old son's favorite book. He makes me read it every night.
April 22, 2012
A pretty dull story, but rather charming illustrations.
July 18, 2013
It took two nights of starting this book before my 2 year old would settle down enough to listen to the story. He was interested in Daddy coming home in the story, and he liked the pictures.
April 29, 2014
The best thing about the Humphrey books are the illustrations. They are sweet, simple and colorful. I think that Humphrey is a cutie, the story was a little bit of a miss for me.
June 13, 2014
Humphrey's bedtime has arrived but as he gets ready for bed his sister has too many things to do since she gets to stay up later.
November 11, 2012
Really pretty pictures and the details are so cute.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews