Brown, M. W. (1975). Goodnight moon. Ill. by Hurd, C. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780694003617

Plot Summary

Goodnight Moon is a children’s book about a bunny who is unwilling to go to sleep. The bunny prolongs going to sleep as it takes its time on saying goodnight to everything in its bedroom from the red balloon to mush. After sometime of goodnights, the bunny finally falls asleep.

Critical Analysis

Margaret Brown offers simple text throughout the story. The words are repetitive and at times rhyme creating the story to flow. Perfect for children to echo read. Everything in the bedroom brings back memories from childhood such as: “The cow jumping over the moon and the three little bears sitting on the chair.”  I believe it is a classic because the story is relatable to children then and now. Most children do not favor bedtime and will do anything to delay the process.

The pictures in the story are both in color and black and white. At the beginning of the story you will notice the bedroom is brighter as the bunny begins to say his goodnights to his beloved items. As the story progresses the night is falling quicker and the bunny is settling into bed a little easier. Then as the bunny falls fast asleep the bedroom glows with the moon light peering into the window. The pictures shows progression of time (night time) and coincides with the story from beginning to end.

Book has not received any awards

Connections

This book could be used for a lesson to teach basic story elements such as beginning middle and end of a story and could be paired with the following book.

Yolen, J. (1987). Owl moon. Ill. by Schoenherr, J. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780399214578