The Going-To-Bed Book Reviews

• Calming Book for Bedtime, But Also Funny and Engaging!

  
  By A1SYLII0808HD6 on 2000-11-17
  Sandra Boynton's colorful board book is a bedtime treat! An assortment of expressive animals gets ready for bed aboard a giant boat. Boynton amusingly shows then bathing, dressing, brushing teeth ("With some on top and some beneath, they brush and brush and brush their teeth."), and exercising together.

  It closes with the animals settling down for the night: "They rock and rock and rock to sleep." Graced by Boynton's well-known illustrations and rhythmic, lullabye-like poetry, this is a great book for infants and toddlers alike. It's one of those books you'll keep long after the kid(s) grow up.
  
  

• A lovely MEMORY maker!

  
  By on 2000-09-06
  Tonight while surfing through amazon I stumbled upon Sandra Boynton. Remembering how fond my children were of her board books when they were toddlers, I read a few of the reviews. I laughed and cried thinking about how frequently "The Going To Bed Book" was read in our household and how IMPORTANT it became in our bedtime ritual. Out of curiosity I pulled the old book from our library shelves and went to my kids, now 15, 12 and 9 and began to recite a few lines. *NOTE - I didn't actually NEED the book in order to do this. To my delight each of them perked up, smiled and began to chant the lines right along with me. They remembered the characters, the words, the way we used to read the story. You see, for them the memories of this book are wonderful as well!

  Sandra Boynton is gifted at coupling wonderful, readable verse with delightful illustration. Don't miss this book and don't hesitiate to purchase others from her collection. We have HUNDREDS of read aloud childrens books in this house. This ranks right up there with the absolute favorites and should be IMHO amongst the first books read to a cherished babe.

  P.S. Don't miss "Doggies" either! If you read this one with FEELING they'll be begging for it time and again!
  
  

• Excellent

  
  By A4OVY7N3W5MLD on 1999-12-06
  After reading all of the positive reviews here, I decided to order this book for my two year old son, who loves to read. I must admit, I probably would never have picked it out, but my son absolutely loves it! Everytime we finish reading it, he says, "Mommy, read again." I recommend it to anyone who has a little reader at home.
  
  

• This is a bedtime MUST!

  
  By on 1998-08-24
  My 17 month old daughter Diana absolutely adores this book, as does her 31 year old mother! It has a remarkably calming effect on her when she's all wound up at the end of the day, and fighting sleep as children her age are wont to do. The wonderful rhythm of the words is soothing, and easy for her to understand. She has begun "reading" along with me, and it's delightful to actually witness her learning. Thank you, Sandra Boynton, for putting your remarkable talent towards such a wonderful thing as children's books!!!
  
  

• Cute but confusing

  
  By on 2001-07-23
  I love Sandra Boynton's books for their sing-song verse and adorable illustrations; but my 14-month-old loves only some of them. This one is a bit confusing for her, I believe. Just when her vocabulary is taking off, this book hits her with some animals that even I can't positively identify. The animals are on a boat, which doesn't make sense out of context. After bathing and just before bed, they engage in vigorous exercise, for some reason. The book seems to present a bedtime routine and seems designed to read to your child during his/her bedtime routine, but I'm finally deciding we're better off shelving this one until it can at least invoke a couple of giggles from my toddler, if not genuine understanding.
  
  
• Bedtime with Boynton!
  By A3UISFQMOSZJMO on 2004-10-15
  I only had one other Boynton book "Snuggle Puppy" which my daughter loves so I wanted to get her another Boynton book. "The Going to Bed" book is a hit!
  
  This book is about several different animals in different shapes and sizes getting ready for bed on a boat. They brush their teeth, excersize and put on pajamas.
  
  The illustrations are cute and her rythmic poetry is perfectly easy to read.
  
  My daughter absolutely loves the pictures and she must like the sound of the words because she gets so excited by this book.
  
  I personally like this book for reading at bedtime because of its length. Its short, sweet and to the point. And the very last page of the book "They rock and rock and rock to sleep" is perfect when read slowly to emphasize the end of the day.
  
  Her books are precious and very inexpensive. This is not a book you will be donating or selling at a garage sale. Your baby/child will love it!
  
  
• Calming rhythmic book, good for babies
  By on 2000-01-22
  My fussy baby required that I sing to her to calm her in her first months of life. After reading and re-reading this (and other) books, The Going to Bed Book replaced singing. The rhythmic rhyme was very soothing to my young daughter. Everyone in my family could recite it.
  
  
• totally engaging, memorizable
  By on 1999-08-17
  My seven month old daugther hated her car seat. I have read this book to her so many times I have it memorized. My husband has it memorized and our daughter now 18 months old has it memorized. It continues to be her favorite book. It has stood up to some really heavy use. The rhymes are great. The imagery is easy for kids to understand, ie. brushing teeth, hanging towels on the wall, taking a bath, exercising, sun setting, saying good night. I cherish this book for helping us survive many long trips between KS and MI to visit relatives.
  
  
• My daughters favorite
  By A3N7CKQNW9LPOT on 1999-11-30
  Wonderful rhyme, great humor. We started reading this to our daughter at 6 months and at 14 months it is still a fav.
  
  
• Boynton's Best Bedtime Bet!
  By AXCIWNWUYX34N on 2005-04-20
  This book is one book we truly adore. My son seemed magnetized to this book. This was one of the first books I read to him at bedtime...whether nighttime or naptime. We love this better than Goodnight Moon. I actually can read the book to my son with my eyes close after a couple of readings. The rhyming text flows so smoothly, that makes reading so fun, easy and addicting. I never liked reading but this hooked me to doing so daily. I'd even whisper the repetitive texts to my son's ear, which he likes so much. He gives me a rewarding giggle for that. Phrases we like most are:
  
  "The sun has set not long ago.
  Now everybody goes below
  To take a bath in one big tub
  With soap all over, SCRUB-SCRUB-SCRUB!!!"
  
  "They hang their towels on the wall
  And find pajamas, big and small.
  With some on top and some beneath,
  They BRUSH and BRUSH and BRUSH their teeth."
  
  "And when the moon is on the rise,
  They all go up to exercise!
  And down once more but not so fast,
  They're on their way to bed at last."
  
  "The day is done, They say goodnight,
  And somebody turns off the light.
  The moon is high. The sea is deep.
  They ROCK and ROCK and ROCK to sleep."
  
  One great buy, One great treasure to keep forever in our hearts. I highly recommend this Boynton Book.
  
  
  
  
  
• As much fun for the adults as it is for the kids.
  By A92WOA64S5O6A on 2000-12-11
  This was my daughter's favorite book when she turned one. Everyone in the household had it memorized. She is about to turn 12 and I can still hear it: "The sun has set not long ago..." You may think this sounds like a mixed blessing, but in fact I loved "The Going the Bed Book" as much as she did. I took great pleasure a few months ago in reading it out loud to a visiting baby girl, who also liked it. Most board books are deadly dull for adults (no matter how delightful they seem to the toddler!) but I always enjoyed Sandra Boynton's books. Now, years later, I still get a kick out of them.

  I have long since gotten rid of all the baby books except the Boynton books and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." They are terrific. Other special favorites are "But Not the Hippopotamus" "Moo-Baa-La-La-La," "Barnyard Dance," and "Birthday Monsters."
  
  

• Strange Bedtime Routine
  By on 2001-10-27
  I really like this author's books. Moo Baa La La La is one of my daughter's favorites. However, I threw this one out. The idea of exercising AFTER bath is illogical to me and not a concept I want to promote with my child. Bath-time signals an end to vigorous activities and a time for calm restful activities. I really don't think she thought this one through well enough.
  
  
• Younger kids, too
  By A1LX9GSMN66L7E on 2006-06-09
  The other (positive) reviews are all spot on, except for the age ranges discussed. Like all of Boynton's books, this one's not just for toddlers, 2-6 year olds, etc. I've been reading (reciting, really, since I know it so well from our first child) this to our daughter since she was only 3 or 4 months old, and she knows and recognizes its cadence remarkably well even now at not quite 9 months. It's a great tool that I incorporate not only in reading as part of the bedtime routine, with the book in hand in a rocking chair, but also something I recite while dressing her - a great tool, that is, for shifting from the fun and frolic of the bath, to the placidity of the reading/rocking chair.
  
  
• great
  By on 1999-05-25
  Me and my husband have been reading this book to my 5 month old daughter ever since the day she came home from the hospital, she just loves the book so much. We made the mistake of leaving it at grandmas house,(who lives out of state) and that night she wouldnt go to sleep, so we had to go out the next morning and barrow my sisters book that she bought for her children, so she would go to sleep !!! She loves the book soooo much, and if you want a great bed time story, pick this one !!!
  
  
• The Sun has Set not Long Ago
  By A3EAJHDBSCV0YA on 2002-10-25
  Great bed time book. The rhymes are fun, and it is a fantastically silly story. My husband and daughter and I have all had this book memorized since she was 6 months old ( she is two and 1/2 now). We love to recite it to one another, and have had to have two copies of the book (ah that teething stage was hard, she chewed right through everything.) We all love Sandra Boynton, she is a reliable read and a lot of fun.
  
  
• Best Bedtime Book!
  By on 2003-03-03
  I have been reading to my 5&1/2 month old son every night since he was born and sometimes he'll sit through several books and other times he won't pay attention at all. I save this book for last each night and EVERY single time he stops everything and listens to every word of the book and he INSTANTLY calms down. It is amazing! I don't know if it is because we read it every night without fail as the last book (consistency?) or if it is because of the book itself but he absolutely loves it even at his young age. I highly reccomend this book to read each evening.
  
  
• Going to bed.......
  By A28ZCEM0KKM2CX on 2001-07-05
  The Going to Bed Book is the first Boynton book I ever purchased. I read it endlessly to my daughter when she was about 2 years old and got to the point where I could recite it from memory. Now that she's older, SHE can read it to ME! It's a very good book--complete with all the rituals that people do before going to bed (brushing teeth, etc.). Sandra Boynton has done a good job of bringing the bedtime rituals to a level that a small child (and a tired mommy) can appreciate. After reading it, you will be ready for bed yourself.
  
  
• We just love this book - STILL at 3 1/2
  By A3GUE7W5MOZ0DS on 2003-09-25
  My son has had this book forever, but it's still one of his favorites. I always try to make it the last one I read, because it's such a nice calm book. And despite the confusing excercise part, it helps with his bedtime routine. The other night he asked me why they had to "find pajamas, big and small." This led to a discussion about the different sizes of the animals in the book.

  Of course, he's had it memorized forever and now "helps" me read it. I will start reading it to my 6 month old now!
  
  

• Cute and fun!
  By A3KEPE1THMI6TY on 2006-06-10
  Sandra Boynton is one of my favorite children's book authors. She makes even the mundane bedtime rituals fun, and has cute characters as well as fun reading. I have all of her books and have read them to all 3 of my children. My children love pointing to the characters and reading along with me (I have read them so many times, they have the books memorized!). Easy reading for young children, and short enough for the wee little ones. I highly recommend this book, as well as Sandra Boynton's other books!
  
  
• A cute book
  By A168U32KAVK17M on 2006-07-01
  My daughter adored this book as she adores all books and prevailed upon myself and others to read it constantly.
  
  
• I know it by heart!
  By A1PG079DZEHKZJ on 2000-05-02
  Some children's books are just classics, this is certainly one.

  I've read it so often to my little girl that I can say the whole thing by heart. By the way she has dozens of books, but picks this one out again and again.

  Sandra Boynton seems to have a very special understanding of what children like.
  
  

• Best Bedtime Book
  By A8Q10L8QWQKZB on 2003-12-31
  I have been reading this book to my baby girl since she was 3 months old as part of her bedtime routine. It has a lovely, sing-song quality to the rhymes that she loves. We have read this book so many times that I have it memorized and I can recite it in a quiet voice even when she is too sleepy to sit through a bedtime book (or if we are away from home). The pictures are silly and cute, too.
  
  
• Great bedtime book!!! The children love it
  By A23PF8D1BV4AYA on 2004-03-28
  I have 3 boys and they have all loved this book. Admittedly I ham it up a bit reading it...like when it say "with soap all over scrub, scrub, scrub" I rub their heads and they giggle uncontrollably. But even with a silly mom, a book is not enjoyable if it's not well written and this one is awesome. I think it's my favorite of her books and I love them all. The words are very lyrical and so memorization is pretty easy for a 2 or 3 year old...which they LOVE!!!!
  
  
• Best Bedtime Book!
  By A3NHQZ414XRE01 on 2005-04-01
  We have several bedtime books for our 22-month old son (Goodnight Moon, Pajama Time, etc.) but this one is our favorite! We always save it for last and enjoy snuggling as we "rock, and rock, and rock to sleep."
  
  
• A delightful book - one of my kids favorite!
  By A267VBU0W17FF9 on 2005-09-22
  I loved this book from the first read. It is one of several books I read numerous times to my kids and is committed to our memories. It is one I enjoy sharing with anyone who has a baby - it can be read to a child of any age, but the toddlers love it, because they can relate to the message: bedtime can be fun! I give this book my highest recommendation: Terrific!
  
  
• Still a hit after all these years...
  By AQQ4WI2JX0C0Z on 2006-06-27
  My kids loved this book when they were little and, believe it or not, I read it so much to them that I can still recite it 16 years later! It's one of the first books that I've picked out for nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, friend's babies-you name it. Wonderful rhymes, nice pictures-you can't go wrong with Boynton's books. (Moo, baa, lalala was another hit in our house too).
  
  
• No more Good Night Moon
  By A1BJ3QUAASVN3Y on 2006-06-29
  This book has replace our tired "Good Night Moon" which needed a break. I prefer reading this one b/c the text isn't as repetitve as "Good Night Moon".
  
  
• Great book
  By A106EPSNHGFRFP on 2006-11-02
  My 14 month old loves this book. We read it to him every night. It's one of his favorites. If you're an admirer of Sandra Boynton books, get her volume two collection which includes this book.
  
  
• fun and engaging
  By A3SR6OLRIP3IYV on 2006-11-19
  Another great little text by Boynton. As usual her witty prose and simple but engaging illustrations are a delight to read and my children always enjoy.
  
  One small annoyance, the book shows animals exercising right before bedtime. After reading my children want to do exercise activity and this gets them a little wound up making bed time a bit extra challenging. My solution is to read that book first, then read another more sedate themed book to help the children settle down again.
  
  
• Going to Read, Then Going to Bed
  By A2LMT1LNINODUM on 2007-01-31
  Rituals and patterns are so important to children. It's a great idea to get in the habit of reading a bedtime story and this one is a super choice. Each night we read this book to our son as we are completing our bedtime routine. How appropriate that the animals in this book are doing just that, completing their bedtime routine. The animals see that the sun has set, so they take a bath, find pajamas, brush their teeth, exercise, turn off their light, and rock to sleep. Each page shows Sandra Boynton's famous silly animals. The wording consists of fun rhymes and the last page, "The moon is high, the sea is deep. We rock, and rock, and rock to sleep," is perfect for snuggling up in a rocker and getting ready to drift off to sleep.
  
  

• Moo Baa La La La
• JumpStart Baby
• Boynton's Greatest Hits: Volume II (The Going to Bed Book, Horns to Toes, Opposites, But Not the Hippopotamus)
• Boynton's Greatest Hits: Volume 1 (Boynton, Sandra. Boynton Board Books.)

• Moo Baa La La La
• Guess How Much I Love You
• Peek-A Who?
• Where Is Baby's Belly Button?
• Counting Kisses