TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE

Isaac loves spending time at Grandpop’s house, but is he brave enough for a sleepover?

Isaac is at Grandpop’s for his first sleepover. However, when night falls, Isaac seems hesitant to go to bed. When he tells Grandpop that he isn’t ready for sleep, Grandpop introduces him to a new ritual of saying goodnight to the house, explaining, “First, you move kind of quiet and slow.” This sentence sets the transition for both readers and Isaac as movements and sounds are described as “soft” and “cozy”—perfect words for snuggling in. As Isaac, Grandpop, and Snuffles the Airedale move through the house turning off lights and lowering shades, Isaac notices noises that make him afraid, but Grandpop is there to comfort him and explain the house’s “sleepy sounds.” Before turning in, he reads the pictures of a book to Grandpop, who drifts off in the armchair, bravely says goodnight to the rest of the house, and reads his book to his teddy bear. In no time, Isaac, Grandpop, and Snuffles are fast asleep. Ford’s illustrations of this loving Black duo within the comfy, older house are warm and tender. The rich honey-brown, gold, and blue hues are natural choices for a bedtime book. Isaac’s first-sleepover story is honest and one that young children will appreciate; adult readers will find it nostalgic.

A delightful multigenerational story, perfect for bedtime or anytime a child is afraid.