About This Book
Reach for this book when the world feels too loud and your child is struggling to settle into the quiet of the night. It is the perfect antidote to 'fomo' (fear of missing out) at bedtime, as it gently shows that the entire community is winding down together. The story follows a rhythmic progression through a city, from the bakery to the fire station, as lights go out one by one. It validates that while the world is full of interesting activity, there is a natural, peaceful time for everything to come to an end. Eve Rice uses a soothing, repetitive structure that acts like a lullaby for the eyes and ears. Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, the book emphasizes a sense of communal security. By showing that even the busy bakers and the watchful firemen eventually say 'goodnight,' it models healthy sleep transitions and provides immense comfort to children who worry about what they might be missing when they close their eyes.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
This is a secular, gentle text with no sensitive topics or conflict. It presents a safe, predictable world.
Ideal Reader
A two or three-year-old who resists bedtime because they are curious about the world outside their door. It is also excellent for a highly sensitive child who needs a predictable, repetitive ritual to feel safe enough to fall asleep.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. The parent should be prepared to read in a progressively softer voice as the pages turn to mirror the book's rhythm. A parent might choose this after their child asks 'What is everyone else doing right now?' or repeatedly gets out of bed to check on household activity.
