Bunny can’t sleep because Dad forgot to check on him, so he sets out to check on Dad.
Bunny should be sleeping, but instead, he is waiting for Dad to come check on him. Dad always checks on him, but tonight, Dad is late.
Soon Dad will come. He will come in the night to check on his little Bunny. Come on, Dad! Check on me, check on me, check on me!
Bunny can’t wait anymore— he needs his dad! Slipping out of bed, Bunny packs a wagon of everything Dad might need: some water, a blanket, a snack, and their favorite book to share. Down the hall and through the dark, Bunny finds Dad fast asleep, oblivious to all the supplies Bunny offers him.
At last, Bunny resorts to a tap on the nose to wake Dad up. Dad checks on Bunny, and Bunny checks on Dad, who is happy to see him, if still groggy. They read their special book, and all is right with the world again.
Bestselling author Amy Hest teams up with Renata Liwska, illustrator of Deborah Underwood’s The Quiet Book, for a bedtime book as adorable and warm as two sleepy bunnies. Sure to soothe children dubious about staying in their rooms alone at night, Bunny Should Be Sleeping reminds young readers that they are safe and loved even when the house is dark and quiet.
HONOR
| 2024 Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
"An ideal book for an evening wind-down or a midnight consolation, the kind of story parents reach for again and again to soothe. . . ."—The New York Times
"The gray-flannel softness of Renata Liwska’s artwork for ‘Bunny Should Be Sleeping’ suggests that this bedtime picture book will be a surpassingly cozy one."—The Wall Street Journal
★ "Reflecting the quiet tone of the text, Liwska’s illustrations create a sense of softness and stillness reminiscent of a foggy morning. A beautiful, memorable picture book."—Booklist, Starred Review
★ "Quiet and reassuring, though laced with humor, the book strikes the perfect tone for bedtime reading, exuding comfort and the joy to be found in nightly routines."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ " In yearning text, Hest (Sometimes It’s Nice to Be Alone) captures the way time can move slowly when someone’s on their own, the way an attentive presence can meet needs, and the sense that Bunny is learning to love well by mirroring Dad’s words and actions."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Hest’s rhythmic text has a soothing, lulling cadence. The soft hues and textures awash in moonlight in Liwska’s digital illustrations convey the perfect mood for this warmhearted bedtime story, which features a refreshing portrayal of what appears to be a single dad caring for his son and vice versa."—The Horn Book
"As cozy as the snuggle between a toddler and caregiver, this book should be on all picture bookshelves."—School Library Journal
Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City.
View titles by Amy Hest
Bunny can’t sleep because Dad forgot to check on him, so he sets out to check on Dad.
Bunny should be sleeping, but instead, he is waiting for Dad to come check on him. Dad always checks on him, but tonight, Dad is late.
Soon Dad will come. He will come in the night to check on his little Bunny. Come on, Dad! Check on me, check on me, check on me!
Bunny can’t wait anymore— he needs his dad! Slipping out of bed, Bunny packs a wagon of everything Dad might need: some water, a blanket, a snack, and their favorite book to share. Down the hall and through the dark, Bunny finds Dad fast asleep, oblivious to all the supplies Bunny offers him.
At last, Bunny resorts to a tap on the nose to wake Dad up. Dad checks on Bunny, and Bunny checks on Dad, who is happy to see him, if still groggy. They read their special book, and all is right with the world again.
Bestselling author Amy Hest teams up with Renata Liwska, illustrator of Deborah Underwood’s The Quiet Book, for a bedtime book as adorable and warm as two sleepy bunnies. Sure to soothe children dubious about staying in their rooms alone at night, Bunny Should Be Sleeping reminds young readers that they are safe and loved even when the house is dark and quiet.
Awards
HONOR
| 2024 Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
Praise
"An ideal book for an evening wind-down or a midnight consolation, the kind of story parents reach for again and again to soothe. . . ."—The New York Times
"The gray-flannel softness of Renata Liwska’s artwork for ‘Bunny Should Be Sleeping’ suggests that this bedtime picture book will be a surpassingly cozy one."—The Wall Street Journal
★ "Reflecting the quiet tone of the text, Liwska’s illustrations create a sense of softness and stillness reminiscent of a foggy morning. A beautiful, memorable picture book."—Booklist, Starred Review
★ "Quiet and reassuring, though laced with humor, the book strikes the perfect tone for bedtime reading, exuding comfort and the joy to be found in nightly routines."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
★ " In yearning text, Hest (Sometimes It’s Nice to Be Alone) captures the way time can move slowly when someone’s on their own, the way an attentive presence can meet needs, and the sense that Bunny is learning to love well by mirroring Dad’s words and actions."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Hest’s rhythmic text has a soothing, lulling cadence. The soft hues and textures awash in moonlight in Liwska’s digital illustrations convey the perfect mood for this warmhearted bedtime story, which features a refreshing portrayal of what appears to be a single dad caring for his son and vice versa."—The Horn Book
"As cozy as the snuggle between a toddler and caregiver, this book should be on all picture bookshelves."—School Library Journal
Author
Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City.
View titles by Amy Hest
