The setting may be the royal palace, but the story is all too familiar, the stubborn toddler prince refuses to go to sleep, no matter what. The castle staff tries different methods for getting the youngster to sleep, from singing songs to giving him a fluffy pillow, to finding a soft mattress. But the only thing that finally works is when his sister comes in and gives him his good night kiss. After that, he finally goes to sleep. It’s a tried and true plotline that’s seen its share of picture books.
What makes this particular book stand out is the text that weaves the tale. Dayle Ann Dodds pens a rhyming text that reads easily aloud, and has comfortable patterns of repetition that the listener will be quick to notice. With each offered solution to get the prince to sleep, the same pattern repeats. For instance “they rub-dubbed through the castle/ they rub-dubbed through the hall/head to toe in bubbles/ Lord and Prince and all.” The pictures add to the hilarity of the scenes. Kyrsten Brooker’s style may take some getting used to, as she plays with perspective and mediums for her work, but the results are delightful. As the story plays out, it’s quite clear that the prince may be refusing to go to sleep, but he is quite delighted at the antics of his staff that are trying to coax him to sleep. The prince’s own plaint of “Waa! Waa! Waa! I will not go to bed!” becomes part of the artwork, popping off the page in vivid color, making it clear what a noise he’s making.
Brooker’s artistic style may be a bit difficult for younger viewers or large audiences to follow, given that it’s unusual and there is quite a bit of detail in the illustrations that might not be seen at a distance. But other than that that, this is a great interactive bedtime book, that children and their parents will enjoy. For other books featuring recalcitrant royalty, try King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood. And for books featuring fussy bedtimes, try Papa’s Song by Kate McMullen.
Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad
The Prince Won't Go to Bed!
- Accelerated Reading level : 2.6
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (October 16, 2007)
- ISBN-10: 0374361088
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