Countdown to Bedtime (A Lift-the-Flap Book) - Hardcover

Mike Haines

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786807415 ISBN 13: 9780786807413

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2001

Synopsis

It's ten minutes to bedtime: are Bandit and Spike ready for bed? It doesn't look like it! As Bandit and Spike count down the minutes, and the steps, before getting into bed, children will delight in following this silly pair's antics as they clean up their room, bathe, and eventually fall asleep. With detailed illustrations and clever lift-the-flaps, this adorable story offers plenty of things for children to discover - including a countdown of numbers hidden on every spread.

About this title

About the Author

Mike Haines lives in Hampton, England.

Reviews

PreSchool-Bandit, a raccoon, and Spike, a porcupine, have much to do in the 10 minutes prior to bedtime. Each page features one minute, starting with 10 and counting down, and contains one or more flaps to lift. A sentence in bold across the top gives the countdown; a question in smaller type runs along the bottom of each page. Readers are asked to determine if the friends have taken off their dress-up clothes, said good-bye to their friends, cleaned their rooms, finished their milk and cookies, checked under the bed for monsters, and more. When children lift the flaps they find answers to the questions. The related numeral is hidden underneath one of the flaps on each page, but there are no corresponding items to count. Although Bandit and Spike are appealing characters, they are not enough to make the book memorable. Also, a kitten appears on most of the pages, but isn't mentioned in the text. Children are sure to wonder if it is a friend, or how it fits into the story. Peggy Rathmann's 10 Minutes Till Bedtime (Putnam, 1998) has far more charm.
Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Youngsters can count backwards, lift flaps and watch Bandit and Spike get ready for bed in just 10 minutes in Countdown to Bedtime by Mike Haines, illus. by David Melling. For "Have they brushed their teeth?" with only two minutes left, a flap reveals that the toothpaste is stuck on Spike the porcupine's quills, under his bathrobe.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Ages 2-4. Cheerful chaos reigns as Bandit (a raccoon) and Spike (a hedgehog?) get ready for bed. Each page in this picture book shows the playful pair as the minutes tick down. Children join the fun by lifting the flaps and looking behind curtains, doors, and covers to see behind the scenes. "Ten minutes to bedtime! Are Bandit and Spike ready for bed? No, it doesn't look like it." Cleanup, snack, bath, pajamas, and toothbrushing finally lead to bedtime. When at last the plucky pair give up their card game under the covers and quickly fall asleep, the text asks, "Shouldn't you go to sleep too?" Brightened with colorful washes, the cartoonlike drawings are clearly delineated and easy to follow, yet offer plenty of amusing details to reward observant children. With its jovial tone and a format that invites participation, this book promises young children a good time, and it delivers. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0786807415
• ISBN 13: 9780786807413
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: David Melling
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 16