Parents' Guide to

At Night

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

A bedtime book to soothe restless sleepers.

Book Jonathan Bean Picture Book 2007
At Night Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 3+

Based on 1 parent review

Elise V.
Elise V. Parent
May 22, 2018
age 3+

Beautiful book

We really liked this soothing book. I love anything by Jonathan Bean though, so I may be a little biased. The illustrations are beautifully done. A fitting title to get your little ones ready to calm down for bedtime.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Unable to sleep, a young girl packs up her pillow and blanket and follows the breeze to the rooftop where she finds the perfect solution for sleeping in the city on a warm summer's night.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This is a smaller-than-usual picture book with soft and soothing illustrations and a story that is calm, gentle, and a little different from ordinary bedtime books. Kids will enjoy looking at the outlined watercolor drawings that create the friendly, almost magical world of the little girl who can't sleep. They also will enjoy hearing how she solves her problem.

Children who live in the city may understand the world of the rooftop garden more than kids who live elsewhere. However, from the front cover on, Jonathan Bean paints a dreamy picture of this amazing world and the little girl who enjoys being there more than anywhere else in her apartment. This pleasurable bedtime read for younger kids is the first picture book Bean has both written and illustrated.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the little girl must have felt when she could not fall asleep. What kept her awake? Have you ever felt like she did when she heard all her family snoring around her, but she was still wide awake? Why did she decide to sleep on the roof? Have you ever slept outside, or wanted to? What would your parents do if they saw you carrying your blankets outside in the middle of the night? What do you think the mother is thinking about when she sits by her sleeping daughter up on the rooftop?

Book Details

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