About This Book
Reach for this book when the night before a holiday feels like it might never end and your little one is buzzing with restless energy. It serves as a soothing rhythmic bridge between the high energy of daytime preparations and the quiet anticipation of the morning. By mirroring the familiar household rituals of dyeing eggs and setting out treats, the story helps children see their own excitement reflected and validated. This secular, rhyming tale is perfect for preschoolers who are beginning to understand holiday traditions. It uses the familiar structure of a classic Christmas poem to provide a sense of comfort and routine, making it an ideal choice for a calming bedtime read during a busy seasonal weekend.
What Parents Should Know
Read plot summary
Following the cadence of Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas poem, this story depicts a family preparing for Easter. Two children spend the day dyeing eggs and setting out jellybeans before heading to bed. While they sleep, the Easter Bunny arrives to hide baskets and eggs, ultimately disappearing just as the children wake up to discover the holiday magic. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book is entirely secular and lighthearted. It avoids religious overtones, focusing strictly on the folklore of the Easter Bunny. There are no moments of peril or sadness. EMOTIONAL ARC: The arc is one of gentle anticipation. It begins with the busy, productive energy of daytime crafting, transitions into the quiet mystery of the night, and concludes with the joyful, energetic payoff of Easter morning. IDEAL READER: A four-year-old who is vibrating with holiday spirit and needs a structured, rhythmic story to help them settle down for sleep. It is perfect for children who thrive on family traditions and 'magic' characters. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might reach for this after hearing 'Is it morning yet?' for the tenth time, or when a child is too excited to start their bedtime routine. PARENT PREP: This book can be read cold. It is helpful to have a basket or some eggs nearby, as children often want to point out similarities to their own home decorations. AGE EXPERIENCE: Toddlers (age 3) will focus on the bright illustrations and the animal protagonist. Older preschoolers (age 5) will appreciate the wordplay and the parody of the 'Night Before Christmas' structure. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many Easter books that focus on the hunt itself, this one focuses on the 'before'—the preparation and the anticipation—making it a functional tool for parents managing holiday eve expectations.
