Bibliography
Fox, Mem. 2013. Ill. by Judy Horacek. Good night, sleep tight. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780545533706
Brief Plot Summary
Bonnie and Ben have babysitter, Skinny Doug looking after
them for the evening. As the two siblings prepare to go to sleep Skinny Doug
recites a nursery rhyme. The children are enthralled and so begins the journey
as Skinny Doug introduces one rhyme after the other the children proclaim, “We
love it, we love it. Will you say it again?” As their bedtime is prolonged the
rhymes cease with a peck on the head of each child from Skinny Doug. He ends
the fun the way he began by saying, “Good night, sleep tight” and all fall fast
asleep.
Critical Analysis
Mem Fox
originally wrote this book over twenty-five years ago. Mem Fox has modernized
classic rhymes so that a new generation of children can be introduced to
childhood favorites. The updated version has Judy Horacek as the featured
illustrator. Familiar nursery rhymes are represented as the story in this
picture book. The rhyme and repetition of the text will keep children involved
in the story line as they recognize each line and call out the words. Although
each nursery rhyme can be considered a “classic” in a traditional way, the
rhymes are represented in a modern fashion with the story characters,
themselves taking an active role in each retelling. I particularly like how
Skinny Doug inserted “hope the fleas don’t bite” instead of bed bugs.
Considering the imagination of children today, that one line might have
youngsters afraid to fall asleep in their own beds. While most characters
portraying babysitters are female, having a young man inserted into that role
breaks down the stereotype created long ago. His sensitivity and interaction
with the children is refreshing. Another element of authenticity was the
sharing of the bedroom by Bonnie and Ben. It is commonplace for modern day
families to share bedrooms and this inclusion will be relatable to children.
Judy Horacek’s
illustrations are simple, colorful, and somewhat nostalgic. Although the
illustrations are clean and straightforward, there is more than sufficient
detail to each nursery rhyme to keep young readers interested and searching. For
example, while reciting the nursery rhyme about the old man hitting his head
when he went to bed, the illustration shows the man preparing for sleep by
flying into the bed off his bed frame, not exactly a very cautious way to get
into bed. The man hits his head, presumably quite hard, as shown by the
portrayal of x’s for eyes and passes out. Children may find this humorous, but
this scene can also evoke conversation about the consequences of horseplay. The
illustrator has also cleverly incorporated the characters into the storyline of
each nursery rhyme while creating a lively, spirited personality for each
nursery rhyme character. As Skinny Doug progresses through each rhyme readers
notice that the small toys of the children will play important roles in
upcoming text. Many ethnicities are represented throughout the book and
professions are not limited by gender, with the exception of the nursery rhyme
“This is the way the ladies ride” where one lone female in a dress is riding
sidesaddle.
Good Night, Sleep
Tight is a delightful book, which will appeal to the child in all of us.
The picture book compliments cultural values with its examples of gender roles;
examples in the illustrations, and an invitation to create quality time for parents,
caretakers, and educators with a good bedtime story or read aloud.
Awards
Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA), 2013
Review Excerpts
Kirkus Review: “Bedtime diversions and
traditional rhymes are a winning combination here. Horacek’s simple, solid
lines and primary colors are friendly, cheery and almost exuberantly inviting.
(Picture book, 1-5)”
Publishers Weekly: “This is one of those sneaky
stories that starts out slight and unsurprising but is over far too soon. Fox
combines the power of repetition with a lead character—a cool babysitter named
Skinny Doug—who acts as a Scheherazade of nursery rhymes. The pictures’ visual
directness and goofy playfulness capture the spirit of the timeless rhymes and
the enviable relationship between the lanky storyteller and his adoring
audience. Ages 3-5.”
Connections
The book can be used as an introduction to poetry and rhyme
as a read aloud.
Classes can do a book study on other Mem Fox books. Students
can make predictions from the text, make inferences about text (higher level
thinking skill), and connections to other text.
Discuss meaning of each poem and what rhyming words are.
Highlight rhyming words through out poem. Focus on the words that end in
“ight”. Make new words from the “ight” sound.
Introduce other classic nursery rhymes to students.
References
Kirkus Review. “Good Night Sleep Tight.” Kirkusreviews.com
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mem-fox/good-night-sleep-tight-fox/
(accessed September 6, 2015).
Publishers Weekly. “Good Night Sleep Tight.”
Publishersweekly.com
(accessed September 6, 2015).
TWU
Library Database - Children’ Literature Comprehensive Database
(accessed September 6, 2015).
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