GO TO BED, TED!

“Time to go to bed, Ted! / Head to the tub. / Come down from that tree now / and get a good scrub.”

In this rhyming good-night book, future president Theodore Roosevelt is only a boy—and he simply won’t go to sleep. Young listeners will recognize themselves at bedtime as the energetic, retro-styled illustrations and playful rhymes trace Ted’s progress toward bed (or lack thereof). In her entreaties, his mother gently admonishes her active son by calling attention to the very attributes he will someday be known for, including his love of nature and the great outdoors, scouting, sailing, safaris, bears—and snoring. Maybe one day he’ll even find a way to help take care of the mountains he loves. (An innovative note in the backmatter draws the connections and explains the historical references.) Youngsters will be interested to see how much they may have in common with the future president as they giggle over his antics and then settle down for the night, perhaps dreaming of someday becoming president themselves. Though the meter is occasionally a bit forced, overall, this is an effective and entertaining introduction to biographies in general and Teddy Roosevelt in particular, as well as a very pleasant invitation to sleep. Ted and his mom, the only characters, present White.

A lighthearted biographical good-night tale for the very young.