Rick Telander
Sweet Dreams
A gentle, low-stakes bedtime read that works well for the final few minutes before lights out.
What parents said
Between my children growing up and my daycare children of years and years, we've read this literally thousands of times.
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Henkes' masterpiece of restraint — five simple characters, one quiet concept, and the illustrations do almost all the emotional work; it's the rare picture book that teaches without preaching.
Fish for Supper
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Picture book · ages 4–7 · 1976
A spare, meditative picture book about a cat hunting fish — Goffstein's pencil art is luminous and the pacing teaches patience; the kill is matter-of-fact, not sensational.
Gentle Poems for Bedtime
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A soothing, low-stakes read-aloud that works well for winding down without requiring active participation from a tired child.