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Go to Sleep, Little Farm Padded
Somewhere a bee
Makes a bed in a rose,
Because the bee knows
Day has come to a close.
Nighttime blankets a little farm. An owl who-hoots. A bear curls up in a log. A mother fox calls her pups home to the den. But animals aren’t the only ones preparing to rest.
In the tradition of Margaret Wise Brown, with classically styled picture book illustrations and fresh, childlike imagery, this poetic bedtime book, as peaceful as it is warm, will wrap young ones in the comforts of routine. Soft covers, rounded corners, and sturdy board book pages make this padded edition the perfect bedtime companion. Now is the time for dreams.
Makes a bed in a rose,
Because the bee knows
Day has come to a close.
Nighttime blankets a little farm. An owl who-hoots. A bear curls up in a log. A mother fox calls her pups home to the den. But animals aren’t the only ones preparing to rest.
In the tradition of Margaret Wise Brown, with classically styled picture book illustrations and fresh, childlike imagery, this poetic bedtime book, as peaceful as it is warm, will wrap young ones in the comforts of routine. Soft covers, rounded corners, and sturdy board book pages make this padded edition the perfect bedtime companion. Now is the time for dreams.
38 pages, Board Book
First published September 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Mary Lyn Ray
32 books37 followersMary Lyn Ray is a conservationist and author of several picture books for children. She was born in Louisiana in 1946 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ray has lived in New England since 1964, when she first came east to attend college. She currently lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in South Danbury, New Hampshire, which she restored herself.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 25, 2014
I was very disappointed with this book. The artwork was fine, but although it purports to be a bedtime/night time book, it has misinformation by implying that the beaver and mice, nocturnal animals, and rabbits, crepuscular animals, are all going to sleep at same time as the child in the story.
Rabbits are crepuscular, and can sleep with their eyes open, as prey animals, not like the illustrations depict if they are . Foxes are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, although they can be active during the day. I recognize the chicken roosting on the moon as humorous/whimsical, and don't have any problems with that, but the way the information is presented, it appears that most animals around the farm are being depicted in natural settings. The crepuscular fawn IS shown out eating while the girl is going to bed, so that one seems to be not out of place, but the mix overall appears misleading at a time when Common Core suggests more nonfiction or "informational texts" be included throughout the child's reading, as early as possible.
I like the idea of the illustrator's comparing the child's positions as she gets ready for bed to the different sleeping places (weaving together misc. pieces into a "bed," in a log, under the ground, etc.) But that was not enough to overcome my misgivings.
I would NOT recommend this to a young reader unless it were part of a discussion on -- can you spot what doesn't match, or what is imagination, bending of facts to fit the story?
Rabbits are crepuscular, and can sleep with their eyes open, as prey animals, not like the illustrations depict if they are . Foxes are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular, although they can be active during the day. I recognize the chicken roosting on the moon as humorous/whimsical, and don't have any problems with that, but the way the information is presented, it appears that most animals around the farm are being depicted in natural settings. The crepuscular fawn IS shown out eating while the girl is going to bed, so that one seems to be not out of place, but the mix overall appears misleading at a time when Common Core suggests more nonfiction or "informational texts" be included throughout the child's reading, as early as possible.
I like the idea of the illustrator's comparing the child's positions as she gets ready for bed to the different sleeping places (weaving together misc. pieces into a "bed," in a log, under the ground, etc.) But that was not enough to overcome my misgivings.
I would NOT recommend this to a young reader unless it were part of a discussion on -- can you spot what doesn't match, or what is imagination, bending of facts to fit the story?
September 3, 2025
Cute pictures!
Ages: 3 - 7
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
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Ages: 3 - 7
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
January 8, 2018
Nicely illustrated bedtime story.
June 25, 2015
Age: Infant-Preschool
Lulling text accompanies an overlay of blue depicting animals going to sleep. Although this cannot be used as nonfiction because some of the facts are off, the pleasant meter and poetic arrangement of the text, accompanied with imaginative offerings of anything going to sleep ("somewhere a pocket sleeps in a skirt") shows it going to sleep in its right place, a slight encouragement for children that refuse to get into their bed.
Lulling text accompanies an overlay of blue depicting animals going to sleep. Although this cannot be used as nonfiction because some of the facts are off, the pleasant meter and poetic arrangement of the text, accompanied with imaginative offerings of anything going to sleep ("somewhere a pocket sleeps in a skirt") shows it going to sleep in its right place, a slight encouragement for children that refuse to get into their bed.
January 27, 2015
Odd little bedtime book, rhymes don't always flow. Illustrations at beginning show echo of what animals are doing with the child getting ready for bed. Then things get more fanciful and more abstract. I was confused, wonder if young readers will be too.
November 5, 2014
This book made me feel like my stomach wants to sing in the way only Margaret Wise Brown can. Yes, I just compared Mary Lyn Ray to my beloved MWB. I do not do this lightly.
November 16, 2023
Too weird
July 17, 2020
Short rhymes.
August 6, 2016
Mooing, neighing, clucking and crowing sounds are transformed into sleepy snores while visiting a special farm at night. Go To Sleep, Little Farm is an endearing, rhyming bedtime story about a little girl who reads a book before bedtime and partially shares in the adventures of the many animals and objects in and around the farm as they prepare to go to sleep. For example; while the real bear is outside getting nestled into a log, the little girl is hiding under the covers in her own make shift log with her teddy bear. Ms. Ray goes on to show there are more than just farm animals who go to sleep. One’s imagination is allowed to run wild at the realization that other creatures and inanimate objects, one might not consider, sleep too, such as; the earthworm nestling the dirt, the many fish in a nearby brook, minutes inside of a clock and a pair of slippers resting snug on a rug. Ms. Ray’s astute observations help stretch a child’s imagination and invoke creative dreams as they lay their sleepy heads down upon a soft pillow and drift off into a deep, restful sleep while reading the book or having it read to them.
Christopher Silas Neal did an outstanding job illustrating, Go To Sleep, Little Farm. His color choice of soft midnight blue and varying gray hues is not only very relaxing and pleasing to the eye, but it also offers the reader a genuine feel of nighttime and relaxation with the turn of each page. The one-dimensional, characteristic illustrations have a classic, old-fashioned feel with their style and use of various flat tones.
Mr. Neal’s vintage style, combined with Ms. Ray’s warming words, makes Go To Sleep, Little Farm, both calming to view and soothing to read. Parents might even find themselves grabbing a pillow and blanket and then dozing off while reading this gentle tale to their children.
Christopher Silas Neal did an outstanding job illustrating, Go To Sleep, Little Farm. His color choice of soft midnight blue and varying gray hues is not only very relaxing and pleasing to the eye, but it also offers the reader a genuine feel of nighttime and relaxation with the turn of each page. The one-dimensional, characteristic illustrations have a classic, old-fashioned feel with their style and use of various flat tones.
Mr. Neal’s vintage style, combined with Ms. Ray’s warming words, makes Go To Sleep, Little Farm, both calming to view and soothing to read. Parents might even find themselves grabbing a pillow and blanket and then dozing off while reading this gentle tale to their children.
August 3, 2014
This bedtime book didn't quite work for me. Not that it was awful. It wasn't. It leans more towards poetry than most picture books. For better or worse. Some lines, some rhymes seem to work well. Take the opening line, for example, "Somewhere a bee makes a bed in a rose, because the bee knows day has come to a close." This book is all about imagery and language and the sounds of words--being lulling. If a lulling bedtime book works, works dependably to send little ones to sleep quickly, or, efficiently then that has some value especially to parents.
The reason this one doesn't quite work for me is because some of the imagery is a bit too bizarre or whimsical...for me. It doesn't start out that way. It really doesn't. So the whimsy sneaks up on a reader. Is that good? Is that bad? Who can say! I'll show you what I mean, "Now little fish lie still in a brook. Somewhere a story goes to sleep in a book. Somewhere a worm sleeps in the dirt. Somewhere a pocket sleeps in a skirt."
The illustrations. Well. Some spreads I do love. Others seem--at least at first glance--even more bizarre than the text itself. They do match the whimsical, surreal tone of the text. So if you love one, you'll probably love the other.
The reason this one doesn't quite work for me is because some of the imagery is a bit too bizarre or whimsical...for me. It doesn't start out that way. It really doesn't. So the whimsy sneaks up on a reader. Is that good? Is that bad? Who can say! I'll show you what I mean, "Now little fish lie still in a brook. Somewhere a story goes to sleep in a book. Somewhere a worm sleeps in the dirt. Somewhere a pocket sleeps in a skirt."
The illustrations. Well. Some spreads I do love. Others seem--at least at first glance--even more bizarre than the text itself. They do match the whimsical, surreal tone of the text. So if you love one, you'll probably love the other.
June 2, 2015
When the sun goes down, the day comes to a close and stars start to shine in the night sky, somewhere, a little girl yawns and gets ready for bedtime. The little girl isn’t the only one – a bee makes its bed on a flower, mice curl up together, and many other animals gather together to rest. When the child’s bedroom lights go off, bunnies snuggle, fish sleep, trees get still. Author Mary Lyn Ray has put a magical touch on bedtime, in a very “Goodnight Moon”-esque way (a high compliment) by describing to us gently, how all books and clothes and bedroom items get ready to doze as well as children, farm animals and more. Describing to your child how everyone, every thing, and every animal is getting ready for bed creates a sense of unity; they can soundly sleep because everything else is. “Go To Sleep, Little Farm” is an absolutely beautiful bedtime story. The rhymes are so gentle and rolling there is a good chance it will lull both you and your little one to sleep. The tale is accompanied by deeply dark toned illustrations, beautifully shadowed to make nighttime feel real. This is a perfect addition to your bedtime routine. Read more at www.diapers-and-daydreams.com
August 28, 2014
great book for lullabys and story time
November 27, 2014
Beautiful pictures and words. Perfect bedtime book. Has a retro look and feel to it.
June 16, 2018
Might bore the parent to sleep.
It's imaginative, but the meter really bugs me and the way that verses are often split across several pages. The worst one: "Somewhere a beaver weaves a bed in a bog", turn the page, "Somewhere a bear", turn the page, "Finds a bed in a log." Ugh. Also, "den" doesn't rhyme with "in" where I live. And I don't think that rabbits actually sleep in a "rabbit pile" above ground. I believe they sleep underground in their burrows, because they're rabbits. It doesn't seem very safe to sleep in a large pile of rabbits. But it gets all imaginative: "Little fish lie still in a brook. Somewhere a story goes to sleep in a book. Somewhere a worm sleeps in the dirt. Somewhere a pocket sleeps in a skirt." Okay.
It's kind of like "Goodnight Moon." It just goes on... everything is sleeping. Minutes are sleeping in clocks. Slippers are sleeping on rugs. Okay, everything sleeps in this world, even inanimate objects. And then the last page is a mother whispering into her daughter's ear, "Go to sleep, little ear." Just her ear? Wouldn't that be uncomfortable, like your arm falling asleep?
The little girl lives on a farm, although the vast majority of things that are going to sleep are not farm-related. Beavers, bears, owls, and foxes tend not to live on farms. "Chickens roost where chickens will", and the chicken is of course standing on the crescent moon, presumably sleeping there. And the trees are sleeping. Okay, okay. I get it. This is one of those books that's just meandering, but it's supposed to be meandering, because it's supposed to bore the living daylights out of your child so they'll finally go to sleep. "Oh, everything is sleeping. Everything is still sleeping." I don't know, that just doesn't work on my kids. They're just like, "Seven more books, Mom."
Interesting use of colors in the pictures. All the outside things are definitely desaturated because of the lack of light, so the pictures are good. The poetry doesn't flow TOO badly. Just kind of a gentle putting-you-to-sleep book that probably goes on for too long, but it's trying to go on for too long. Which is the weirdest thing to me.
Message: Everything sleeps, even inanimate objects.
For more children's book reviews, see my website at http://www.drttmk.com.
It's imaginative, but the meter really bugs me and the way that verses are often split across several pages. The worst one: "Somewhere a beaver weaves a bed in a bog", turn the page, "Somewhere a bear", turn the page, "Finds a bed in a log." Ugh. Also, "den" doesn't rhyme with "in" where I live. And I don't think that rabbits actually sleep in a "rabbit pile" above ground. I believe they sleep underground in their burrows, because they're rabbits. It doesn't seem very safe to sleep in a large pile of rabbits. But it gets all imaginative: "Little fish lie still in a brook. Somewhere a story goes to sleep in a book. Somewhere a worm sleeps in the dirt. Somewhere a pocket sleeps in a skirt." Okay.
It's kind of like "Goodnight Moon." It just goes on... everything is sleeping. Minutes are sleeping in clocks. Slippers are sleeping on rugs. Okay, everything sleeps in this world, even inanimate objects. And then the last page is a mother whispering into her daughter's ear, "Go to sleep, little ear." Just her ear? Wouldn't that be uncomfortable, like your arm falling asleep?
The little girl lives on a farm, although the vast majority of things that are going to sleep are not farm-related. Beavers, bears, owls, and foxes tend not to live on farms. "Chickens roost where chickens will", and the chicken is of course standing on the crescent moon, presumably sleeping there. And the trees are sleeping. Okay, okay. I get it. This is one of those books that's just meandering, but it's supposed to be meandering, because it's supposed to bore the living daylights out of your child so they'll finally go to sleep. "Oh, everything is sleeping. Everything is still sleeping." I don't know, that just doesn't work on my kids. They're just like, "Seven more books, Mom."
Interesting use of colors in the pictures. All the outside things are definitely desaturated because of the lack of light, so the pictures are good. The poetry doesn't flow TOO badly. Just kind of a gentle putting-you-to-sleep book that probably goes on for too long, but it's trying to go on for too long. Which is the weirdest thing to me.
Message: Everything sleeps, even inanimate objects.
For more children's book reviews, see my website at http://www.drttmk.com.
August 31, 2020
I read this every night to my son for about 10 months when he was born until I bought another bedtime book. I quite like it but I agree with other comments that it is cumbersome to turn the first few pages and some of the activities of the animals are quite questionable (the rabbits' sleeping arrangements for example). I like the idea of all objects in the house going to sleep and find it relaxing that everything is still. However, my son never chooses this book over another book, even though it probably should be his favourite after hearing it 304 times. It is quite long for a bedtime book and sometimes we don't even get all the way through it before he gets annoyed and wants to be put in bed.
November 22, 2020
Je n’ai pas lu cet album aux enfants, parce qu’il est trop long : je l’ai pris parce que les textes sont courts, mais il y a 40 pages. Si le petit que j’accueille tiendra la distance, je sais qu’avant d’arriver à la moitié, la petite aura lâché l’affaire.
Au début, l’histoire m’a laissé indifférente, je ne voyais pas trop où l’auteur voulait en venir : sur une page, la les animaux se prépare pour la nuit, page d’après, la petite fille termine leur action. Mais au fil des pages, je me suis faite à ces “Quelques part…”, ça sonnait comme une rengaine plaisante, et j’avais hâte de découvrir ce que nous réservait la planche suivante.
J’ai beaucoup aimé les décors, mais pas trop le character design des personnages.
Au début, l’histoire m’a laissé indifférente, je ne voyais pas trop où l’auteur voulait en venir : sur une page, la les animaux se prépare pour la nuit, page d’après, la petite fille termine leur action. Mais au fil des pages, je me suis faite à ces “Quelques part…”, ça sonnait comme une rengaine plaisante, et j’avais hâte de découvrir ce que nous réservait la planche suivante.
J’ai beaucoup aimé les décors, mais pas trop le character design des personnages.
March 11, 2019
This book has a common refrain: the bedtime, the whole world is going to sleep. However, the illustrations and occasionally poetic language set this apart from other children's books that are similar. Really fun to read to my kids.
June 5, 2023
Just a lovely little goodnight book! Muted colors and whimsical lyrics are a win for this one. My favorite spread is the one with the roses and the bee. And I love that it features dad helping with bedtime routine alongside mom.
October 22, 2025
I think this book could have used some brighter illustrations. There are a lot of different variations of blue with a few other colors mixed in. The majority of the book is about animals, so it is content that children are familiar with.
October 27, 2025
The book was ok. I didn’t like that the book made it seem as if all animals and people sleep at the same time. As far as the story encouraging children to sleep at night I see that. With children who are starting to learn we want to make sure that we are as realistic as possible.
September 12, 2017
The pictures were good, but the story was a bit too abstract.
December 5, 2017
This would have been much better if it was shorter. I love the illustrations but the book was a bit too much and was trying to hard to force the rhyme. A pocket sleeping in a skirt? Come on!
January 25, 2018
A little girl gets ready for bed at the same time several animals do. very calming. baby and up
September 7, 2018
I regret nothing
April 30, 2018
Cute illustrations, but I feel like the story was way too close to Goodnight, Moon.
August 13, 2018
Cut art, although it sometimes doesn't make sense
January 30, 2019
The soothing cadence of the story and the hushed tones of dusk-to-dark illustrations make me feel sleepy - perfect!
December 14, 2020
A nice, relaxing book. The rhymes aren't perfect, but the feel of the book makes up for them.
March 29, 2023
I’m a fan of the art, but didn’t love the story/poetry.
November 7, 2023
Beautiful illustrations, weird story. Factually inaccurate science. But again, I loved the illustrations so I gonna check out the illustrators other books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews