A Child's Good Morning Book

by Margaret Wise Brown, Karen Katz (Illustrator)

It's time to wake up! Roosters are crowing, rabbits are nibbling, flowers are opening, bees are buzzing. How will you start your morning? Join four special little ones as they awaken with the warm rising sun. You, too, can glide gently into the morning with rousing text by Margaret Wise Brown and vibrant illustrations by Karen Katz. Originally published in 1952, this book will inspire all of us to celebrate the wonder and possibility that comes with the dawning of each new day.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Margaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during her life, but she is best known for Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Even though she died nearly 70 years ago, her books still sell very well.

Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.

She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.

She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.

Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.

Reviews

[Gladimore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Doesn't even deserve a rating. I'm not normally this terrible to authors, but besides good night moon and a few others that are so so, her books are horrible!! I have read almost everything my library owns of her's hoping they would get better. However, quite a few of her books have great illustrators and others not so much. I would rather rate on the story for her books though.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/20/2025 - A warm and loving story.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Karen Katz's sticky sweet art, you will love this book. The text, by Brown, does not have the wonderful flow of some of her all time classics, but with the Katz illustrations I know this will be popular.

[Johanna Florez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of big words for little ears, but the 1.75 year old listened quietly to the whole thing (even though it was my first time reading it, so I wasn't reading perfectly fluidly). Something was working for the little one. And their parents liked the illustrations, even though those kind of freaked me out.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Katz's illustrations, with the textile-like patterns and the happy babies and their tummies.

Love Brown's text, with its evocative precision and unexpected rhythms.

I just don't think they're the best suited pair. I would have liked more photo-realistic imagery for Brown's text, or maybe a more painterly style.

[Nicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Either make it rhyme on every page or don't make anything rhyme. This book was really annoying.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to report some word crimes. And art crimes.

Which I really rather like, but probably not for the reasons intended by either author or artists.

[Maeve · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the sun rises, children and animals say good morning to the day.

[Mrs Heet -Librarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

The text was choppy and didn't flow at all. The illustrations by Karen Katz were the only redeeming thing about this picture book.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/20/2025 - A very sweet story that can be read morning or night. Read with Momma.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hockessin Library - Book Babies - 3/4/26

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited when I saw this book at the library. My daughter and I have loved all the Karen Katz lift the flap books we've read. This is just a normal book (no flaps or textures) about babies waking up in the morning.

The text didn't flow well at all. I expected it to be about a baby waking up and all the things we do when we wake up and get ready for the day. But it really focused on animals and insects waking up at the same time as the baby. It was strange. And some pages rhymed but others didn't. It was really jumbled and I didn't enjoy reading it.

The illustrations by Karen Katz are the same as her other books. So those were entertaining. They're bright and cartoony - everything kids love. My daughter still enjoyed the pictures even though I did not enjoy the story.

[Tiffany Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you through all the the different ways that animals and people wake up. I love the illustrations and the different patterns and colors that are used. it is very unique.
This book is for younger students, around preschool and kindergarten. It is a very easy read and the colors and patterns will keep them intrigued. I would use this in the morning as a first read of the day to get the kids minds working.

Brown, Margaret Wise, and Karen Katz. A Child's Good Morning Book. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 2009. Print.

[Kelly Coyle DiNorcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids love Karen Katz books, and though this one is a little more wordy than what I would usually read to my little one (it's written by Margaret Wise Brown, you know, Goodnight Moon, Runaway Bunny) I think that the cheerful illustrations will hold his interest, especially with all the animals in the story who require sound effects - roosters, birds, horses, sheep, and buzzy bees. Lucky for all those animals that they live on such a pristine farm and can greet the morning with such cheer!

[Malckey P · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this book almost every morning. I get to say good morning to Sam Mei, Demejah, Jose and Cousin Liam. I like how the kids in the book look like people I know. I also like it when all the animals wake up. The picture are vibrant. I especially like the bees buzzing page. My mama can say buzzzzzzzzz for a really long time.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are bright and bold, classic Karen Katz. However, the language is somewhat stilted, i.e. "...the bright and morning star." This is a lovely book, but the poetry doesn't really flow.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2009 version illustrated by Karen Katz. Without Katz illustrations, I would have struggled with the book. Text seems long...book appears to be geared to younger children but is not supported by the length...would be surprised not to lose the audience on this one. Illustrations redeemed it.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read with children. The illustrations by Karen Katz are instantly recognizable. And although the narrative doesn't flow as smoothly or rhythmically as Goodnight Moon, it is a nice story to read with younger children.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as Katz's other books.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karen Katz brings her well-known style to this classic. Bright colors will engage the young child. Not as enchanting as Good Night Moon, but Brown still knows her audience.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sweet and what I expect from a Brown/Katz collaboration. This will be great in a storytime. Ages Baby+

[Carol Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for toddler storytimes... a little long for the really little ones but great illustrations and places where you could encourage participation (ex. bees buzzing, rooster crowing etc).

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute and cheery book. Love the illustrations and it's about the "wake up"morning routine by the sun, birds, flowers, and children.

[Ellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this. The pictures are great, but the little story is just too saccharine (and that's saying a lot).

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

"newly illustrated by Karen Katz, morning, toddlers"

[Heather Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2012, lily summer reading 2018, board book, good morning, animals, children, lily fall reading 2018

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The one we read is illustrated by Karen Katz. Flora likes it a lot.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing is wrong with Margaret Wise Brown's text, but the illustrations are quite nauseating.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little long but could work for babies. About children's waking up and getting ready for the day. Available as a state multiple.

[Avonlea Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this so charming, and my daughter enjoyed the bright and colourful illustrations.