Tired Town
What’s inside...
Goodnight Moon meets Goodnight Already! in this very funny bedtime book from New Yorker contributors Patricia Marx and Roz Chast. This is the story of Nellie Bee Nightly, who is not tired at all and swears she never will be. The popcorn is too pooped to pop, and the nightstand is too tired to stand up straight and must lie down, but Nellie is wide awake and not ready for bedtime at all. Instead, she gives her goldfish a mustache and hangs her bed from the ceiling so that she can install a swimming pool in her room. Nellie, after all, went to sleep last night, and shouldn’t that be enough sleep to last a lifetime? Wonderfully quirky, subversively sweet, and effortlessly classic, Tired Town is a brilliant new bedtime story from humorist Patricia Marx and Roz Chast, the #1 New York Times-bestselling and award-winning creator of Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?: A Memoir and I Must Be Dreaming.
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the town is called 'Tired Town'? What makes it different from other towns?
How do the characters in the book try to solve the problem of the town being tired?
Can you think of a time when you felt really tired? What did you do to feel better?
What would you do if you lived in Tired Town to help everyone feel more energetic?
How do you think the story would change if the town was called 'Happy Town' instead?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathy and personal experiences to connect with the story. Share a story about when you felt tired and what you did to overcome it.
Ask your child to describe the town using their own imagination, and what they would add to make it a more lively place.
Encourage your child to think critically about the characters’ actions and discuss alternative solutions to the town’s tiredness.
Create a fun activity where you and your child brainstorm and draw a 'Happy Town' together, discussing the elements that make its residents joyful and energetic.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of rest
Explanation: In 'Tired Town,' the characters are constantly busy and on the move until they realize the value of slowing down and resting.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of taking breaks and not over-scheduling, which is essential for their mental and physical health.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and community
Explanation: The residents of Tired Town come together to solve the problem of their collective fatigue, teaching the value of collaborative efforts.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to seek help and work together with others in tasks at school or in play, fostering strong cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Listening to your body
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters learn to heed their body's signals of tiredness instead of ignoring them, emphasizing the importance of self-care.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to be aware of their own needs and express when they feel tired or overwhelmed, promoting healthy habits from a young age.
Example Lesson: Balancing activity and rest
Explanation: The tale illustrates how both action and relaxation are necessary by showing the consequences of neglecting rest.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to balance their study and play time effectively, ensuring they maintain energy and focus.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As everyone in Tired Town feels the impact of exhaustion, they grow more understanding towards each other's limitations.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy by recognizing that everyone has limits and needs rest, encouraging a supportive environment among peers.