Goodnight, mice by Frances Watts

Ill. by Judy Watson. Harper Collins, 2016. ISBN 9780733335303
(Ages: 1-5) Recommended. Board book edition. This is a board book edition of the CBCA 2012 Notable Book and winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2012. Goodnight, mice is a rhyming story that follows three mice as they get ready for bed with help from their mother and father. Even the youngest of children will be able to relate to the mice's bedtime routine. There are touches of gentle humour that young children will find funny, such as father getting all wet at bathtime. The relationships between the mice are warm and affectionate and the illustrations and text highlight the joys of simple time spent as a family and portray the warmth and cosiness of a happy, loving home. A board book edition is apt for this title, as even the youngest children will enjoy the easy listening rhyme and the colourful illustrations make it appealing for independent exploration. The flow and rhythm of the story cannot be faulted and is a joy to read aloud. A perfect bedtime story.
Nicole Smith-Forrest