“The sun has gone to sleep. It is bedtime for Picco Puppy. Is he ready for bed? Let’s go inside and see.” So begins Michael Wong’s Bedtime for Picco Puppy. Picco and his sister Poppi begin with a game of hide and seek inside their home that looks like a mushroom. Mommy constantly interrupts, reminding them of bath time. But the siblings insist they be allowed to play one last time by saying the “magic word.” Picco and his sister then find that the night offers more fun than just hide and seek. The beginning page introduces young readers to Picco and his family. This children’s book presents polite expressions repeated on occasions as a device to help children recall their use.

Wong uses simple verse and the resulting rhymes are pleasing. Moreover, the illustrations exhibit consistent brevity and wholesomeness, with light shades that demonstrates the serenity of the home. It features clear lines and patterns. The look is clean in keeping with Wong’s intention of appealing to parents and children. With four lines of text per page, this is an easy read for beginner readers. Picco and his sister demonstrate rowdiness typical of kids their age, but there is no manic or disheveled aura in the illustrations. The message of love within the demonstrated affection of Picco’s parents reveals a happy family. Bedtime for Picco Puppy is a well-conceived children’s book that is playful and reassuring. It is a thoughtful tribute to quality time with family that busy households have long overlooked.

Children can act out Bedtime for Picco Puppy while reading the story with parents. As each page is read, children can act out each part of the bedtime routine and prepare for bed—just like Picco the Puppy and his sister Poppi. This children’s picture book is a bedtime routine for two puppies: Picco and Poppi. Author Michael Wong has created a children’s book that most parents can relate to: how to get children to stop playing, have a bath, put on pajamas, brush their teeth, read a story, and go to sleep. Children will love the rhyming verse of the story, as well as the cute puppies. The simple illustrations have bright and pastel colors that fill the page. Illustrator Arkhan Studio created the adorable artwork of the twin puppies and their parents.

Parents will enjoy reading Bedtime for Picco Puppy to their young children. Each time they read a page, children can get ready for bed just like the darling puppies. Every home library should have a copy of this children’s picture book to read night after night as part of their regular bedtime routine. Parents will also appreciate the Look and Find activity at the back of the book, as well as the coloring pages on the website. Author Michael Wong has written a fun, easy-to-read book for young children that’s bound to become a favorite for parents and children. Children learn to read by seeing the same words repeated over and over and this book will help them recognize the words used in this story.

Bedtime for Picco Puppy by Michael Wong is a bedtime story that shares the activities of parents getting their children ready for bed. Of course, the kids want to do just one more thing before they turn in for the night. And then just one thing more. Very typical, right? The youngsters in Bedtime for Picco Puppy are given one more opportunity but then the parents know how to positively and without tears get their sweeties to bed. The routine the puppy parents use can be utilized in any household.

I found Bedtime for Picco Puppy by Michael Wong to be a timely topic for parents and a fun read for children its target age, 3 to 5. Often bedtime can be such a tearful time and full of arguments. However, the parents in Bedtime for Picco Puppy model ways to handle the nighttime chore in a fun, caring fashion. The sentence that keeps repeating to fit different situations— playtime is over, bath time is over — is a great sentence for parents to use in their own household. Using this for transition is a great means to help establish routines and consistency.

Given enough practice with the firmness of this sentence, children will learn that once they hear it, they know it’s time to move on without argument. It’s short, repetitive, and to the point which is what children need. In addition, the words 'please' and 'thank you' are stressed. The illustrations are colorful and interactive. The Look and Find activity at the end of the book is right on target for children this age and the author has provided free coloring pages and wallpapers on his website www.PiccoPuppy.com. Start using Bedtime for Picco Puppy by Michael Wong early in your child’s life to introduce routines and bedtime will be fun for all!