Way Past Bedtime

by Tara Lazar, Rich Wake (Illustrator)

Little Joseph turns into a bedtime super-sleuth as he tries to solve the mystery of what happens after the lights go out in this fun spin on classic bedtime stories.

Bedtime is Joseph’s least favorite time of day. When his parents tuck him in at night, Joseph imagines all kinds of things that he’s missing out big parties, hot-fudge fountains, exotic animals, and more.

But there is only one way to find out if what he imagines is actually true—and bedtime super-sleuth Joseph is determined to discover what happens way past bedtime.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Street magic performer. Award-winning ice sculptor. Hog-calling champion. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she writes stories for children featuring quirky characters and hilarious happenings. Tara writes the 7 ATE 9 series of picture books from Little Brown, illustrated by Ross MacDonald. Her next book is BLOOP, about an alien who comes to conquer earth but thinks the dogs are in charge! Tara lives in New Jersey with her husband, two daughters, and an adopted stray cat named Phoebe who thinks she is in charge of the planet. Visit Tara online to read about all her books at taralazar.com.

Reviews

[Jocelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book finally explains why little ones don't want to go to sleep. A real inspired storybook.

[Rachel Stine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. I never entertained this sort of fantasy growing up but as a former sitter/nanny, I think it’s more common than you’d think. The drawings are fantastic, the story fun, and the whole concept is brilliant.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last! Joseph is going to find out what happens Way Past Bedtime. He just knows his parents are hosting wild parties with fabulous desserts and raucous entertainment. And when her reports this information to kids of the world, he will be a global hero. But when he finds his parents dozing on the couch, he is outraged. He just knows there's something going on!

Fun illustrations ensure that the reader is in on the joke.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great concept. The illustrations were lively and complemented the main character's amazing imagination. I liked the moments when the text was spare and left room for the art to expand on the story. Kids will like the silly alliterative attendees at the "party." Parents will empathize with the MC's parents. Should be a fun read-aloud.

[Manu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mommy: 5 stars - clever little book

Leila: 5 stars. I like that he ate candy at the party! I love it so much and I want to keep it.

Maxwell: 5 stars. I like the part when Joseph gobbled up all the sugar, and danced through all the lights, and gobbled up every single sixteen scoop ice cream.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Way Past Bedtime, written by Tara Lazar and illustrated by Rich Wake, a fun fantasy that ponders a perennial childhood question: just what do parents DO past bedtime?

Tonight is the night, and Joseph is ready. He’s even oddly eager to go to bed, causing his parents to pat themselves on the backs for their superior bedtime skills. Little do they know, however, that Joseph is onto them, and tonight, his plan springs into action: he’s going to find out what happens PAST BEDTIME! He has his theories of course, centered around the rollicking, rowdy party that he’s sure they must throw: an incredible bash with six DJs, hot fudge fountains, and show-stopping mariachi performances. When the moment is right, he springs into action, putting on his invisibility clock (a blanket) and creeping past the guard (his sister). Spying mom and dad with his (cardboard) night vision goggles from atop the stairs, he sees that they’re… asleep? Fuming at them about the lack of party, his parents wake and laugh at his wild imagination, then return him to bed… but not before the audience glimpses a few clues that Joseph may not be so far off base after all…

Colorful and fun. The premise is one of those great, timeless childhood questions, and little readers will surely appreciate Joseph’s frustrations and laugh at his incredibly creative fantasies about the after-bedtime bash (which includes ninjas, puppets, magicians, celebrities, and more). Similarly, there are some great nods to the parents as well, and the clever illustrations do a great job of balancing big set-pieces and wacky characters with witty details. My only complaint is the ending, which feels a little abrupt and vague (though it’s hard to describe without spoiling the final twist). Still, the length was fine and JJ enjoyed the silly party scenes, so we can call this one Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross-posted from reviewer's personal Goodreads account:

Lazar, Tara Way Past Bedtime, illustrated by Rich Wake, PICTURE BOOK. Aladdin, 2017. $17.99. Content: G.

Joseph is determined to stay up way past bedtime. He’s sure that parents have extravagant parties with lots of food, guests and entertainment after the kids go to bed. So he stays up late and creep downstairs only to find . . .

The expressions on Joseph’s face are fantastic. What a great little boy, and such an imagination! I love the alliterative descriptions, the colorful difference between his world and his imagination, and the parents are great! This is another terrific bedtime story.

EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph is determined to stay up way past bedtime. He’s sure that parents have extravagant parties with lots of food, guests and entertainment after the kids go to bed. So he stays up late and creep downstairs only to find . . .

The expressions on Joseph’s face are fantastic. What a great little boy, and such an imagination! I love the alliterative descriptions, the colorful difference between his world and his imagination, and the parents are great! This is another terrific bedtime story.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious. Our main character is just sure that his parents have a huge party after he falls asleep so he hatches a plan. He plans to go down stairs when it is "way past his bedtime" and find his parents in the middle of their party. When he goes downstairs, he finds his parents crashed on the couch sleeping. How Boring! He's still not convinced. One day maybe he will prove his theory right. Recommended Purchase. Gr Preschool-2nd.

[Sarah Hayes-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute book, especially for a soon-to-be 6 year old boy! Bright, fun illustrations with so much to look at on each page. The story is perfect to send a child off to bed and set his imagination free, all prepped for sweet dreams. My little guy loves this book and it's in steady rotation for bedtime reading. Thank you, Tara Lazar for signing his copy. A special book for sure. Very lucky and thankful to have won this!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joseph is determined to find out what his parents do way past bedtime, so he cleverly pretends to fall asleep quickly so he can sneak downstairs and spy on his parents. Lots of fun word play describe what Joseph is sure is happening. But when he gets downstairs he finds his boring parents snoring on the couch. They wake up sleepily and take him back upstairs where he instantly goes to sleep... or does he?

[Brandi Kutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

At long last, Joseph is going to discover what really happens WAY PAST BEDTIME! He is thoroughly convinced that his parents are having fantastic parties filled with acrobats, DJs, magicians, celebrities, and a multitude of desserts. Joseph dons his invisibility cloak (yellow blanket) and night vision goggles (cardboard goggles) and adventures downstairs to bravely go where no kid has gone before. Really sweet book with colorful and silly illustrations. Great for story times!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun book by Tara Lazar. This one has Joseph wanting to stay up late and see what his parents do when he is fast asleep. His fantastic ideas of what will be are not to be realized but would have been fun. What he finds is a surprise and a twist at the end. Wanted to see what the illustrator did to enhance the words of the story. Rich Wake did a great job with the story. I love the pic of Joseph when he discovers what goes on through his night vision glasses.

[Katie Merkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does happen "way past bedtime"? This is a question which will resonate with children. Joseph's plan to discover the truth, plus his incredible speculations about what his parents do "way past bedtime," will make kids and parents laugh. I highly recommend this funny, imaginative, beautifully illustrated picture book!

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten

What do parents do after they put their children down for bed? Joseph is determined to crash all of his parents party hijinks and prove his theories of after-bedtime fun. A bit of a tongue twister at times but the ending doesn't provide much to distinguish it from other books with the same theme.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one struck a chord! Everyone had a story of something they had seen when they snuck out of bed after they were supposed to be asleep. I was a little worried some of the stories might be awkward to hear, but apparently, most parents are pretty boring. Although, apparently some go out and buy KFC after kids are asleep!



Tara Lazar is brilliant. So glad I decided to go on a Tara Lazar kick!

[Abby Peskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations really make this book spectacular. Every kid wonders what happens after they go to bed. Clearly that's when the fun happens, right?? The boy in this story pretends to fall asleep right away, but stays up late so he can find out what fun things his parents are really up to when he's asleep. Boy, is he surprised when he finds out what they are actually doing.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shocking! Preposterous! Unbelievable! Aren't parents anxious to get kiddos to bed so they can party, feast and entertain? What else could they possibly be doing??
The digitally rendered full-color illustrations have lots of detail to pour over. The boy's ideas are done in thought bubbles.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joseph is on a mission to discover what super-awesome fun the parents are having after they've put their kids to bed. He wants to attend their outrageous parties, mingle with celebs, scoff 16-scoop sundaes and experience the dazzling entertainment. All he has to do is stay up way past bedtime.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! A little boy comes up with a plan to stay up to find out what his parents do after he's asleep. Do they have wild raging parties? Eat tons of junk food? ...I bet you can guess what his parents actually do!

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun childhood theme of staying up waayyyy past bedtime. What really happens when the kids go to sleep? Investigation is required.

[Lakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read!

[Tammi Sauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all.
Drama! Intrigue! Mathematical puns!

[Carrie Charley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Showcases the true imagination of a child!

[Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little picture book about a boy with a very active imagination, trying to figure out what his parents do after he goes to bed.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with fantastic writing paired up with some great illustrations! Loved it!

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do parents get up to after you go to sleep? They party, of course! Joseph's going to find out tonight by staying up WAY PAST BEDTIME.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph has a plan to stay up way past bedtime and see the wild parties his parents must throw every night!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book.

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully silly kid's-eye-view of what grownups must be doing after bedtime.