I Won't Go to Bed! - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 2 In a common childhood fantasy, Harry defies his usual bedtime hour and attempts to stay awake through the night. His father reacts with nonchalancean almost chilling coldnessas he walks up the stairs to bed and never bothers to check on the child until he wakes up and goes downstairs early the next morning. In the quietness of the house settled for the evening, Harry uses the remote con trol to switch the televison off and on, he plays with his toys, scans the newspapers, and tries to have a party. Finally he falls asleep on the living room floor. His father finds him in the morning and helps Harry to his own bed. Harry is portrayed as a child out of place in the adult world of the late evening. Typical night sounds of owls hooting, clocks ticking, and even the qui etness are amplified. Baruffi's illustra tions are predominately from a child's floor level perspective. The furniture is oversized, towering above Harry. Dou ble-page spreads show expansive floor and wall backgrounds. This directs read ers' attention to the more colorful and de tailed items: Harry, his toys, and the party goods. Overall, these images are harsh. The book lacks the melodious and com forting tones of Brown's Goodnight Moon (Harper, 1947) or the family love and car ing exhibited in Polushkin's Mother, Mother, I Want Another (Crown, 1978). Mary Beth Burgoyne, Mesa Public Li brary, Ariz.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Harry doesn't want to go to bed, so his father says, "Then don't," and goes to bed himself. Harry wanders around the house, playing with the remote control, singing songs to himself and listening to the sound of his father's breathing. He is startled by a mouse and a hooting owl and, after setting up dishes for a guestless party, eventually falls asleep on the floor, only to be retrieved by his dad in the wee hours. While Harry's father's insouciant attitude seems more callous than caring in the beginning, the tender ending compensates for his brusqueness. Baruffi's unusual perspectives and bold use of scale give the book a mood in keeping with its middle-of-the-night setting. Her use of color works well to sustain suspense through the night. A traditional theme with a non-traditional treatment. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.