Good Night, Little Man
What’s inside...
From Daniel Bernstrom, the acclaimed author of 'One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree', comes a new bedtime favorite, 'Good Night, Little Man'. The story follows Little Man who refuses to go to sleep without his beloved stuffed animal, Sheep-Sheep. A house-wide search ensues, involving Nana searching up high and Grandpa searching down low, but Sheep-Sheep remains missing. The rhythmic, heartwarming tale unfolds as they try to reunite Little Man with his stuffed animal before bedtime.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Little Man felt when the sun set and it was time for bed?
What are some of your favorite bedtime rituals that help you feel sleepy, like Little Man?
Why do you think it's important for Little Man to say goodnight to everything around him?
Can you think of someone you would like to say goodnight to just like Little Man does?
What dreams would you like to have tonight?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a gentle and soothing voice to create a calm environment, mirroring the book's bedtime theme.
Encourage your child to relate personal bedtime experiences to those of Little Man, enhancing personal connection to the story.
Ask your child to imagine and describe their ideal bedtime setting, inspired by the illustrations in the book.
After reading, together practice saying goodnight to various things in the room, making the routine interactive and fun.
Revisit the book on different nights to discuss new insights or changes in feelings about bedtime, emphasizing the importance of routine.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of routine
Explanation: In 'Good Night, Little Man,' the story follows the nightly routine of getting ready for bed, which includes activities like brushing teeth and reading a bedtime story.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by establishing and following their own bedtime routines, which can help in developing discipline and ensuring adequate rest.
Example Lesson: The value of family bonding
Explanation: The book showcases moments of gentle interactions between the parent and child, emphasizing the comfort and security provided by family members during bedtime.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cherish and make time for bonding activities with family members, understanding that such moments are important for emotional security.
Example Lesson: Expressing and understanding emotions
Explanation: Through the dialogue and actions between the characters, the book subtly teaches how to express feelings of tiredness or readiness for bed in a calm manner.
Real-World Application: Children can use these cues to communicate their own emotions more effectively with their parents or guardians in daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of imagination
Explanation: As the parent narrates stories during bedtime, it encourages the child's imagination to wander and dream, highlighting the creative aspects of storytelling.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to read more or create their own stories, fostering creativity and cognitive development through imaginative play and thinking.
Example Lesson: Importance of rest
Explanation: The consistent theme of the book revolves around preparing for a good night’s rest, stressing how sleep is essential for health and well-being.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of rest and helps instill healthy sleep hygiene from an early age.