What do you think?
Rate this book
May We Sleep Here Tonight?
Carefully applied colored pencil suggests the fog that causes three gophers to lose their way in the woods, and--like Goldilocks--enter an empty but comfortable house. More timid than their fairy-tale counterpart, the gophers are hesitant, but they are so tired, they finally tuck themselves into the large bed. Their sleep is not sound, however, because they are soon joined by two bunnies and three raccoons also seeking shelter. The various saws hanging on the wall make the animals a bit Have they stumbled upon the house of a witch? And hearts beat faster when a huge figure enters and looms over the quaking critters. Fortunately, though, Mr. Bear is a welcoming host, who serves his guests hot stew, then climbs into bed with them to sleep until the fog-free morning. The pictures hint at the identity of the home owner; the Japanese printing on pot labels and book titles reveals the story's origin. The cozy interiors, appealingly drawn animals, and familiar themes transcend cultural borders. Ellen Mandel
32 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1984
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 10, 2017
A three-star book until I 1. saw it through the eyes of toddler who knows the Goldilocks story and 2. noticed the details, especially the unsuccessful alternate use to which the firewood was put. A smallish format and gentle colors give it a nostalgic vibe. Not worth hunting down if you don't have a toddler, but worth reading if you do, or if you can find it easily.
December 4, 2013
To be honest, when I first checked this book out of the library (on a recommendation), I was underwhelmed by the illustrations, which aren't exactly my favorite style. But my toddler and preschool-aged kids LOVED this book and so I grew to love it too. My kids have long outgrown it, but even though it seems to be out of print now, I still buy used copies occasionally as gifts.
September 27, 2018
Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
August 2, 2010
This book was great! It was mysterious and a little scary - the 4-yr-old had huge eyes. But it turns out happy and sweet.
The illustrations are soft which contrasts with the 'scary' rather nicely. There are Japanese symbols on some of the items which my kids thought was cool.
We read this a trillion times or more before returning it to the library. And we've checked it out many, many times.
A real favorite at our house.
Updated August 2010 - Well, we read it to pieces. It literally fell apart the other day. There were many tears. I will try my hand at glue and tape. Lots of tape.
The illustrations are soft which contrasts with the 'scary' rather nicely. There are Japanese symbols on some of the items which my kids thought was cool.
We read this a trillion times or more before returning it to the library. And we've checked it out many, many times.
A real favorite at our house.
Updated August 2010 - Well, we read it to pieces. It literally fell apart the other day. There were many tears. I will try my hand at glue and tape. Lots of tape.
January 6, 2018
Once of my favorite books as a child, and now one of my favorite to read to my children. It's a little old-fashioned but I love how things get just a teeny bit scary only to resolve with such a sweet, cozy ending. And I love the illustrations even though (as my kids like to point out) the bear doesn't really look like a bear. But I don't care. My favorite is the little gopher who sleeps through the whole thing and then is awake at the end.
Side note: I have two editions, and there is one tiny difference that I've noticed. In the early one, the bear refers to the hikers as "lads," but in the later edition he refers to them as "friends." I appreciate this especially for my daughter -- there is no reason some of the hikers can't be female!
Side note: I have two editions, and there is one tiny difference that I've noticed. In the early one, the bear refers to the hikers as "lads," but in the later edition he refers to them as "friends." I appreciate this especially for my daughter -- there is no reason some of the hikers can't be female!
March 3, 2021
Title: May We Sleep Here Tonight?
Author: Tan Koide
Illustrator: Yasuko Koide
Genre: Fiction, Friendship Book
Theme(s): Kindness, Empathy, & Friendship
Opening line/Sentence: “Three little gophers were out on a hike, but on their way home they got lost.”
Brief Book Summary: Three gophers, two bunny rabbits, and three raccoons get lost in fog on a hike at night and decide to go to a nearby house to stay the night.All of the animals are in bed when the owner of the house comes home and it is Mr. Bear who warmly welcomes them all to stay and have some food that he has made.
Response to two professional reviews: The Mandel and Verzi Julian reviews compared the elements in this story to different fairy tales such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood. There is a familiarity to the story of lost travelers in the woods looking for a place to stay, but this book allows children to wonder what the big black mass is that comes into the house at the end of the book. At first the animals don’t know what it is, but with closer inspection it ends up being Mr. Bear the owner of the house who is very happy to have them all stay the night.
Tell Me Framework:
Like(s): The bear in the story was portrayed in a scary way at first, but then he was kind because he allowed the animals to stay the night in his home.
Dislike(s): The characters just let themselves into an unknown person's home, which is not something that children should be taught to do without permission.
Pattern(s): The repetitive pattern of writing and illustrations of three animals, two animals, and three animals added something extra to the book.
Puzzle(s): Why are there so many animals hiking at night?
Consideration of Instruction Application: After reading this story, teachers can have students create their own mini book about the types of animals who might do certain activities together and who may face a particular problem. The children can figure out possible solutions to the problem that the animals are faced just like in the book that was read to them. Children should be given plain white pieces of paper where they draw their animals and construction paper to glue their animals on. This will help them understand the different parts of the story that has been read and give them an opportunity to create their own story.
Author: Tan Koide
Illustrator: Yasuko Koide
Genre: Fiction, Friendship Book
Theme(s): Kindness, Empathy, & Friendship
Opening line/Sentence: “Three little gophers were out on a hike, but on their way home they got lost.”
Brief Book Summary: Three gophers, two bunny rabbits, and three raccoons get lost in fog on a hike at night and decide to go to a nearby house to stay the night.All of the animals are in bed when the owner of the house comes home and it is Mr. Bear who warmly welcomes them all to stay and have some food that he has made.
Response to two professional reviews: The Mandel and Verzi Julian reviews compared the elements in this story to different fairy tales such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood. There is a familiarity to the story of lost travelers in the woods looking for a place to stay, but this book allows children to wonder what the big black mass is that comes into the house at the end of the book. At first the animals don’t know what it is, but with closer inspection it ends up being Mr. Bear the owner of the house who is very happy to have them all stay the night.
Tell Me Framework:
Like(s): The bear in the story was portrayed in a scary way at first, but then he was kind because he allowed the animals to stay the night in his home.
Dislike(s): The characters just let themselves into an unknown person's home, which is not something that children should be taught to do without permission.
Pattern(s): The repetitive pattern of writing and illustrations of three animals, two animals, and three animals added something extra to the book.
Puzzle(s): Why are there so many animals hiking at night?
Consideration of Instruction Application: After reading this story, teachers can have students create their own mini book about the types of animals who might do certain activities together and who may face a particular problem. The children can figure out possible solutions to the problem that the animals are faced just like in the book that was read to them. Children should be given plain white pieces of paper where they draw their animals and construction paper to glue their animals on. This will help them understand the different parts of the story that has been read and give them an opportunity to create their own story.
May 4, 2019
What a cute story about helping others!
July 4, 2020
Love this book! Read it as a library book to the boys when they were little. Bought it used recently and they still love it...so cute!
March 22, 2017
3/21/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.
January 4, 2012
I found this book stalking Mr. Schu's goodreads stream:)
Currently Reading
September 1, 2016The three little gophers went out on a hike in the woods.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
A tale of hospitality, generosity, and comfort to weary and lost travelers as they seek shelter for the night.
July 22, 2008
One of the best books ever for pre-schoolers!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews