Goodnight Already by Jory John and Benji Davies
| Goodnight Already by Jory John and Benji Davies | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Sam Tyler
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| Summary: Bears and Ducks should not be neighbours, especially when one likes to sleep and the other likes to stay awake. Join both of these characters in well-illustrated and fun story suitable for sharing. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: March 2015 |
| Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 9780008101350 | |
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If you list all of my favourite things you may be surprised what one of my top choices is - sleep. Lovely, blessed sleepy sleep. There is nothing quite like the feeling of waking up at the usual time, only to roll over and go back to Slumberville as there is no work today. If you wake me up too early, I have been described as looking somewhat like a grumpy bear, but what do you expect if you try to stop someone who is hibernating? Will you learn the lesson of this little duck who would not let a sleeping bear lie?
It is the hibernating time of the year and Bear is getting ready for bed. Unfortunately for him, his pal Duck is not a good sleeper and is more interested in doing something exciting to keep them both awake no matter how many times Bear says no. Will Duck succeed in keeping Bear awake over the winter, or is he simply being quackers?
Books like Goodnight Already are simple affairs so for them to stand out, something special has to come to the fore. In this case the combination of Benji Davies' illustrations and Jory John's fun words make the book a simple, but extremely pleasant read. The story of a duck bothering a bear could only be found in a tale for children and Goodnight Already reflects this. John has not set the book in the forest, but in a suburbia that happens to be populated by animals. When thinking of ways to stay awake Duck does not go down the usual animal route of taking a swim or cleaning their fur/feathers; instead he tries starting a band or baking. These silly ideas work really well and the pages listing all the daft ideas are only made sillier when you think of a duck trying to do them all.
The words are clearly written and perfect for a developing reader who reads alongside an adult, but is starting to want to read for themselves. The story takes on a regular pattern as Duck is pushed away, only to come back with some more silly ideas. What makes the book even more fun is the twist ending that is very silly, but works well within the story.
With a strong, if simple, narrative, Davies' illustrations need to be good to reflect the world that John has created. He does this by using bold colours and an art style that is eye catching for both children and adults alike. This is the type of children's book that impresses both readers in terms of looks as it is so bold and well-drawn, but will possibly impress the elder slightly more than it enthuses the youngster.
When a book has a simple story and striking visuals you know you are in safe hands. The illustrations are great, but may appeal slightly more to the adult reader than the child, but this does not detract too much from what is a fun read for youngsters who like stories that are a little on the silly side.
Read more about what bears get up to in Bears Don't Read by Emma Chichester Clark, or if you prefer ducks you can check out Duck by Janet A Holmes and Jonathan Bentley.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Goodnight Already by Jory John and Benji Davies at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Goodnight Already by Jory John and Benji Davies at Amazon.com.
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