Goodnight Moon Reviews

• The perfect bedtime book

  
  By A164CEQYM6I9WL on 2000-07-22
  At the risk of sounding redundant, "Goodnight Moon" succeeds in entrancing every toddler (and every toddler's parent) who sees and hears it. Unlike many other books suitable for children at an early linguistic level, "Goodnight Moon" manages to capture both adult and child in its charms. The repetitive structure never bores, as it constantly surprises with its rhymes and subjects (I still laugh at the blank page where it goes "Goodnight nobody"). My daughter is now three, and she isn't quite as excited by the book as she was when she started hearing it at one, and when she insisted on it every night when she was two, but she still likes to take it out every once in awhile. I still love "Goodnight Moon," however, and look forward to reading it to my next child, and to my grandchildren. I only wish my mother had known about this book when I was a child!
  
  

• A classic for a reason

  
  By A3KNY1U2LJT929 on 2001-05-03
  I got this book (in the board version) for a shower gift for my now 2-year-old daughter. I didn't remember reading this book as a child and at first it seemed a little odd -- the pictures weren't tremendously appealing and the rhyme scheme seemed strange. I have, however, been converted. After reading the book several times to my newborn daughter, I noticed how soothing it was to her. She seemed to be able to see the pictures and, as she got older, would reach out to touch elements in each. We read it every night for months, because it seemed to set a good tone for bedtime. After learning a little more about how children think, I began to understand what made it so appealing -- the ritual of saying good night to familiar objects helped reassure her when she had to say good night to her mom and dad, which can be scary for tiny kids.

  Now, of course, she's a big girl and says it's a "baby book". However, it's still by her bed and I've overheard her "reading" it to herself or to her baby brother many times. It's an excellent choice for a baby you love.
  
  

• Read this Book to Create Happy Memories and Pleasant Sleep

  
  By A1K1JW1C5CUSUZ on 1999-11-06
  This is a book that I read every night to my children. For years, I could not quite put my finger on its appeal. Finally, it clicked one day. There is a cadence to the story that is like a mediation mantra, quietly and gently calming you and your child down. In addition, the book's text and illustrations are matched in away that it is natural to point out the words and pictures to your child, and for them to do the same as they grow older. This means that you are also starting to teach reading in natural, relaxed way. In addition, we all tend to see the glass as half empty rather than as half full. Goodnight Moon encourages a sense of gratitude for whatever is around us. That is a profound and wonderful lesson for everyone to have. Finally, children are fascinated by how another child's room might look. So you also help them to understand the differences among families. How many other books do you know that accomplish so much? Best of all, you and your children (and grandchildren, perhaps) will have wonderful memories to share. That's fantastic! Enjoy!
  
  

• Once you have a child to read this to, you will understand!

  
  By A3DFH4CKPIT0N9 on 1999-12-23
  Until I started reading to my older son, I didn't really understand what was this book's unique hold on people was. However, from my first reading to him, I did! There must be something magical about this book and the way children love it. It's very comforting to them, with the easy to memorize lines and the gentle arrival in the great green room of nighttime. However, it's also full of little details for them to notice and delight in--the hidden mouse, the dollhouse with lights on, the pictures on the wall. It's the perfect book to start kids "reading" themselves---leave out the crucial word in a line and wait for them to say it---"a bowlful of...." "MUSH!", they scream with delight! And they all love the "Goodnight Nobody" page best---I think it really gets kids thinking in a philosophical way---How can you say Goodnight to Nobody? This book is a true, true gem and belongs in every library.
  
  

• Goodnight Moon is a MUST for any parent...

  
  By on 1998-09-05
  This book and I met when I was a child...that's a long time ago , and now that I have 3 children of my own , ages 9 , 5 & 2 years , I made sure they each had their own copy. Hardcover is best , because it lasts...I still have my childhood hardcover copy...talk about growing up together! Although my 2 older kids have sort of "outgrown" their copies , my 2 year old loves reading hers. She wants to "read together" all the time , as she calls it , and she loves to search for the little mouse on all the colored pages! Her older brother and sister enjoyed doing that , and , yes , so did I! It's great for spending quiet time before going to sleep , or just anytime! A timeless classic!
  
  
• I don't understand it, but I love it!
  By on 2000-02-28
  My 18 month old son absolutely ADORES this book. I'll have to admit, I find the colors garish, and the illustrations I might have doodled myself, but this is by far my kid's favorite book. The cadence is soft and musical, and I can't believe that my son can point out the mouse on every single page. Point it out? He practically bashes the book out of my hands trying to show it to me. He always wants this book before he goes to sleep at night, and it's a joy to read to him. An absolute MUST for any nursery shelf. I highly recommend it.
  
  
• Every Child Should read this book....
  By on 1999-11-15
  A few weeks ago i was looking for a copy of this book for my 6 month old cousin, and my boyfriend just happedned to be in the store with me, and he said he had never heard of good night moon. I told him he was seriously deprived as a child not having read this book, it is a must have for all children, it will lull them to sleep before you know it. I remeber fondly my parents reading this book to me as a child, and since that time i have been deovouring everybook i can get my hands on, but this one always brings back the magic of our childhood.
  
  
• A genuine classic!
  By A2B21POKQ3N09H on 2002-10-02
  I have a friend who has recently become an elementary school teacher and is teaching kindergarten. She talked me into coming in to read to her class--any book(s)I wanted to bring with me.

  My reading gig is coming up this week so this past weekend I asked my 16 year old daughter to go through her old children's books (she has 50-60 of her old favorites still on a bookshelf in her room) and she emerged with 2 or three books for the kid's but also with Goodnight Moon--which she wanted me to read to her.

  As Miss Zoe was growing up we'd read every night and Zoe (my daughter) got to choose what we read. She'd usually pick 2 to 3 books and, for years and years, Goodnight Moon was always one of them.

  The book itself is somewhat inexplicable--mostly it's just a silly little poem, really--but for my kids it really struck a chord. All I know is that if your sixteen year old daughter wants to curl up on the couch and have you read one of her childhood books to her, that's quite a book.

  I always give this to friends when they have a first baby, and I have always found that a few years later they are still telling me it is their kid's favorite book.

  So don't try to figure it out, just buy it and read it to your kids. It'll be a treasure you share for years.
  
  

• My Children�s All Time Favorite. 10 Stars!
  By A3DHHQ2NGXOUAH on 2004-04-27
  Goodnight Moon is a classic. It is one of the sweetest and most lovely books you can read to your child at bedtime. I read this book to my children each night, and they loved the book, felt peaceful, safe, as this book brings children a most beautiful story. If you love your children "above the moon and stars, and over the universe" then this is the book to buy and read at bedtime. Deserves 10 Stars!
  
  
• Perfect Gift
  By A26VO4PUW0Z2S0 on 2007-05-23
  Goodnight Moon" fulfills two very powerful needs to small children - to keep their mothers close to their sides as long as possible and to make closure on their day by telling each object goodnight. It is a poetic and soothing book helping babies and parents to calm down and go to bed. This charming story of a young rabbit's bedtime ritual invokes the kind of cozy quiet that invites the peaceful security of pleasant dreams. This book is a "must have" for any parent of a young child. Add to it "Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 1" and you have a perfect birthday package. You might also want to cosider Corduroy , The Giving Tree, and Love You Forever
  
  
• Don't see the point
  By on 2000-01-14
  I hate to disagree with everyone else that raves about this book, but... I don't see the allure to this book. My son found it acceptable, but nothing special. I didn't enjoy the cadence, premise, and it made no sense to me at all.
  
  
• I'm a believer...
  By A1O26T0BHV93GJ on 2002-12-05
  I was skeptical about the merits of this book at first as I read it to my daughter (1 year-old at the time, now 18 months). I was looking for some kind of cute plot and message, which is the format of most kids' books. However, I soon found that this was the book that she wanted out of the dozen or so that we read to her initially. It worked without fail to hold her attention, whereas other books left her looking around the room and squirming. I do believe that the alternating sequences of black and white and vivid colors, along with the very brief wording and soft word selections are masterful. This author somehow tapped into the psyche of infants and toddlers. The result? My daughter calls for "Moon" almost every night. And I'm glad to put her in a peaceful mood as she goes to bed.
  
  
• So many better books out there!
  By AJ5AIVK102NAU on 2005-03-29
  The popularity of this book stupifies me - do people like it because they think they are supposed to? The story is dull and the pictures too brightly colored to be an effective, relaxing bedtime book. Try any of the following for a much better read: I Love You Little One (Tafuri), Time for Bed (Fox), I Love You As Much (Melmed), Pajama Time, Snoozers or The Going to Bed Book (Boynton), Bear Snores On (Wilson)...or make up your own story - it has to be better than GM.
  
  
• Out on limb- a TERRIBLE book
  By A1KR80V4OJU583 on 2005-06-19
  I know I am probably the only person in the world who will give this book a negative review but I honestly think the illustrations are very poor, I hugely dislike the black/white images on every other page, the bunnies look creepy instead of cute and cuddly like a bunny should look....and I don't like how the bunny says "goodnight to the old woman in the chair" or something like that and then on the next page or previous page, the chair is there and the woman is gone. It just feels spooky to me. Is it the bunnies grandma? Why couldn't it be "goodnight to my grandma or mom who is sitting in the chair whom I love or who loves me"? or something sweet like that? Instead, the whole book has this strange feeling to it and I just do not like it at all. And again, to go out on a limb, I think Margaret Wise Brown books tend to be like this- they are so close to being cute books and have that cute/catchy idea but then when you read closely or look at the photos, there is always a spooky undertone- a mouse beside a clock but inside the clock is a face of a cat that looks evil like it will eat the mouse and then you notice that the mouse's face actually looks scared. Why would I want to read these kinds of books to my kids?? This book gets my biggest thumbs down for a goodnight book or a book for kids in general.
  
  
• I FELL ASLEEP IN TARGET!
  By A2AV37AKRQZSYY on 2006-06-17
  Well, almost! What an absolutely over-rated book. I wanted so badly to like this book. My son is only 18-months-old and we own over 125 books--a mixture of newer books and vintage classics. I went to Target to specifically get THIS book, and you wouldn't have believed the look of shock on my face as I finished the last page.
  
  I nearly fell asleep standing there reading it. I guess it serves its purpose then, huh? So, yeah, if you are merely trying to get your kid to fall asleep, then PLEASE DO get this book because it's guaranteed that your child will Bore N' Snore within about 2 pages.
  
  Just a simple book (simplicity is great in most cases, sadly not this time) about a bunny saying goodnight to the objects in his room. Every other page is done in black and white illustrations. Can't believe this actually got published with all the competition out there.
  
  It really is a shame...good childrens' books are getting harder to come by these days as far as newly written ones go. As far as older classics--I would never classify this book as one of them.
  
  Oh, and by the way...negatively rate me as much as you want...I find it funny that people give negative ratings when people give plenty of information on the product, but simply because they disagree they have to say it wasn't helpful. Whatever...have fun :)
  
  
• Timeless and Hypnotic
  By A204G7E13UW2B0 on 2005-11-21
  
  In the great green room
  There was a telephone
  And a red balloon
  And a picture of -
  The cow jumping over the moon.
  
  So begins this timeless classic, first published in 1947. As I write this, fifty eight years later, the MS Word grammar checker takes issue with the use of "was" and mistakenly suggests "were" in its place. Yes, this is a book from another time, and so with its simple charm, it enchants, even today.
  
  The cadence and rhyme flow together ushering in an almost hypnotic sense of peace.
  
  And there were two little kittens
  And a pair of mittens
  And a little toy house
  And a young mouse
  And a comb and a brush and a bowl full of mush
  And a quiet old lady who was whispering "hush".
  
  The illustrations complement this spell and draw the reader into a world of lengthening shadows as the light goes out to be replaced by moonbeams and the twinkling of the stars outside.
  
  Goodnight stars
  Goodnight air
  Goodnight noises everywhere.
  
  
  
• Simple and enchanting
  By A203F9VUBQWIML on 2000-06-08
  "In the great green room, there was a telephone and red balloon . . ." This was the first book that I read to my daughter. She continued to enjoy it until she was two and a half years old, and now, at the ripe old age of four, although she has advanced to books of much greater complexity, she still asks for it from time to time. Goodnight Moon is quietly entertaining, from the simple, rhythmic text (which lends itself more to chanting than to reading) to the marvelous illustrations of the strangely soothing "great green room" which grow darker as the story progresses and the bunny gets closer bed time.

  As your child grows older, he or she will enjoy finding the elusive baby mouse on each of the colored illustrations. The appeal of this book is somewhat inexplicable, but it is both timeless and enchanting.
  
  

• One of my nephew's favorite books!
  By A35Y437F45R8XI on 2001-07-14
  As I have read several other's reviews of this children's classic, I see there are some mixed emotions about it. I can only tell you how my 14 month old nephew responds to it, as it was one of the very first books I bought him. My sister-in-law tells me it's one of his most favorite books. They read it almost every night as she's preparing him for bed. It is very simplistic in it's reading, but perhaps has a rhythmic type flow that really captures my nephew. Or it may also be the alteration of colored and B&W pictures. Whatever it is, my nephew loves it! It has a soothing type of effect on him. In fact, I'll somtimes quote parts of the book to him and he always looks at me and baby jabbers, as if to say he recognizes those words. Essentialy, this book is about the goodnight wishes a little one can relate to and in the process of reading it, I believe contributes to the development of his own speech, just as many children's books do. By the way, I also bought my nephew a stuffed version of the "Lil Bunny" in the book. He loved it. I think he doesn't pay as much attention to it now that he's a little older, because he's so busy exploring other things but, it makes for a nice gift to include with this book. Not too expensive. I realize different children like different kinds of books but, Goodnight Moon is pleasurable and I think it would be worth the purchase.
  
  
• SPECIAL LULLABY RHYMING BEDTIME STORY
  By A3SAU1A0IEYDNX on 2002-07-30
  This is one of my daughter's favorite books. She will be four soon and still loves this book! She enjoys the rhymes and bright, bold colors--and the bunny.

  I think what makes this book so special, among many things, is that it's short, full of contrasting, bright colors, and the fact that "Mommy" is reading it. I cuddle up with her and have the lights dimmed and she's dressed and ready for bed with her favorite blanket, relaxed and ready to look and listen.

  The part after, "Goodnight comb, And goodnight brush," where it next says, "Goodnight nobody," I have placed a baby picture of my daughter and we say together, "Goodnight________,"(her name.) She enjoys seeing herself in the book and I think it's great for her to basically tell herself to go to sleep!

  The last full-page spread (which by the way, every colored page is a full-page spread) is particularly pleasant; the lights are dimmed in the baby bunny's room, he's in in his pajamas in his bed under the covers and the only things that are dominant and glowing are the moon and night stars, the fire in the fireplace, and the toyhouse's lights. Looking at that, what else would a child want to do but follow the bunny's lead and go to sleep? Goodnight Moon! (Big yawn...)

  Suggestion: If your child doesn't want to let you leave after reading the book, you can make up your own "Goodnight ROOM" story and help him/her say goodnight to objects in his/her room. This in addition to the book, should do the trick!
  
  

• Am I Nuts?
  By A38F0BQPBYH7SL on 2005-05-17
  I purchased Good Night Moon for my baby Grandson. I thought this was the most over rated book ever. I told myself maybe I am old fashioned and remember the books I read to my children. after reading all of the reviews written in by customers, I finally found a couple of "Men" that see it my way. "Dad" and "Book Dad" hit the nail right on the head. I also think all of these people love this book because they think they have to like it for some reason. This Grandma can not recommend this book when there are so many better ones out there.
  
  
• a yawner (and I don't mean that positively)
  By A3356C71R17JXP on 2000-07-10
  I hate to be a grouch, but I don't understand what all the fuss is about. The storyline is OK, but the illustrations are COMPLETELY uninspired and uninspiring. We almost never pull this one off the shelf. For a wonderful night time read, I suggest "Time for Bed" by Mem Fox.
  
  
• So sweet and relaxing.
  By on 2000-02-25
  I purchased this book when my daughter was not quite 3 years old. It has been a nightly ritual that this book gets read to her. She has even read it to me several times and I love it.

  I have a very special man in my life who lives 800 miles away and I read it to him also. I have put him "nite-nite" several times. He says it's the rhythm I use while reading it.

  It is definitely a very soothing and relaxing book to read and listen to. Though, it may not make sense to some people who read to their children, I disagree and must say that this is the BEST BOOK on the market for babies and toddlers and well, children of all ages.

  I just recently found out that my sister is expecting her first child and you can bet I'll be giving this to her as a gift.
  
  

• THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE
  By A30DIC2I9HBL55 on 2000-03-24
  I am a preschool teacher and have a naproom full of toddlers. This book is requested every day at nap time. It is very sing-songy and the children love it! I cannot express how great this book is, it relaxes the children and they immediately drift off to sleep. If you have children, this book is a must for your library.
  
  
• The Classic
  By on 2000-04-27
  Mr. Mitchell's remarks (below) strike me as intelligent and true, but something about this book resists analysis. He's absolutely right, though, to say that cadence is crucial. Like any good lullabye, it's the rhythm of the words, not the meaning of the words, that do the lulling.

  Some of my colleagues ridicule me for this, but I truly believe Goodnight Moon is a great poem. When my brother, Henry, suffered a stroke and needed to relearn how to speak, I brought this book into the hospital room and together we recited Brown's verse, over and over. I can say it now in my sleep, and I fear I sometimes do.

  After my brother passed away I read the book aloud at his funeral. "Good night noises everywhere."

  I hope you're sleeping well, Henry.
  
  

• Riveting! A Thriller!
  By on 1998-10-07
  Once again Margaret Wise Brown proves herself the mistress of the macabre in this daring tale of suspense. The riveting plot concerns a child-rabbit held hostage in a mysterious room by a seemingly benign yet omnipresent 'old lady'. Is she a threat or merely a representation of the authority figure we all resent yet are powerless to battle.? Perhaps, even, God?

  The victim is fighting to stay awake after, it is implied, being forcibly fed 'a bowl full of mush'. Vermin running rampant and nightmarish surreal paintings of wild animals add to the atmosphere of horrifying menace.

  Although less complex than her other subjects (stalking in 'Runaway Bunny' and homelessness in 'A Home For A Bunny'). Ms. Brown is obviously at her zenith with this page turner. You won't want to put it down...just keep the lights on!
  
  

• THE BEST BOOK
  By on 2000-11-11
  This book was the sweetest childhood book I'v read.It is about a little rabit that can't go to sleep and thinks of many things. Even now I'm 10 sometime I pull it out and remember when I was little. SO if you have someone younger child in your family buy it today.
  
  
• What is this book's appeal?
  By A1UXVUGJ8M3ZLJ on 2001-07-05
  I feel a little silly to be about the only one who doesn't get this book's appeal. It shows the same pictures over and over again, and every other page is black and white. No appeal whatsoever to my daughter, now age 18 months, who has had this book since birth. People say it's the 'lulling" repeatability of the goodnight theme... I say, it's boring. There are so many bright, lively, board books out there today. I do not recommend this one, classic or not.
  
  
• It'll put you to sleep alright!
  By A16NOTS9NNJPHD on 2002-06-11
  My daughter never liked this book. My husband nor I ever cared for it either. It didn't keep our daughter's attention at all nor did it "soothe". It just didn't live up to all the hype. We read to our daughter all the time and have since her birth and she loves almost all books, but not this one. She much prefered Sandra Boynton's board books.
  
  
• I Don't Know How it Became a Classic
  By A3GKPMHV4U64IY on 2003-09-05
  My daughter likes this book and my son probably will too, but it reminds me of the book version of Barney; kids love it and parents don't. None of the adults in my family who have read this book like it.

  The book it a rhythmic poem. First we learn about what is in a little room and then we say good night to those things (Good-night, Mush?). The artwork, like in the author's Runaway Bunny, is better in the black and white drawings than it is in the color panels.

  The Rhythm can be relaxing if read properly and its completist use of phonic makes it good for children to read themselves, but otherwise I just don't get this book.
  
  

• This is the most boring book ever!
  By A2FKPWTYBGG20W on 2000-01-13
  I would definitely pass this book up. The picture on each page is nearly exactly the same as the picture on every other page - and they are all boring. The words are completely uninteresting. One advantage to this book, is that it does put you and your baby to sleep. My one year old and I enjoy many, many books together (her favorite is The Very Quiet Cricket), but this is not one that she enjoys at all.
  
  

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