It’s young Alex’s bedtime. After his father reads him a bedtime story and tucks him in, Alex does what most young children tend to do when faced with the prospect of going to asleep – he comes up with several reasons why he can’t go to sleep yet. In Alex’s case, it’s because he’s thirsty and needs a glass of water and after that, it’s because he needs his teddy bear but when his father brings him his bear, he tells his father he needs his other teddy bear, Mr. Sniffers. After his father brings him Mr. Sniffers and finally tucks him in, Alex reluctantly admits that he can’t go to sleep because he doesn’t know what to dream about. His father’s response – why don’t they plan his dream…

Shelley Admont provides a unique means to a child’s bedtime end in her delightful picture book, Goodnight, My Love!, with illustrations by Samir Boumsik. As any parent will tell you, trying to get a young child to fall asleep at bedtime isn’t for the weak. Admont takes an age-old problem and puts a refreshing spin on it by having the parent collaborate with the child to create the perfect dream. By having the parent ask the child the all-important “what would you be?/where would you go?” questions, it invites children to let their imaginations run free, creating a comforting, yet imaginative scenario they can embrace. The fact that the parent has inserted himself into the dream gives the child that parental stability, reinforcing that the child is not going on the adventure alone. The author’s narrative expresses patience and love with a dialogue that is simple and straightforward, perfectly geared to young children.

The illustrations by Samir Boumsik complement the narrative in Goodnight, My Love! perfectly. They are simplistic enough for a child to follow yet are rich enough in detail to tell their own story. Each illustration is colorful, yet slightly muted like a nightlight that casts a soft glow in a child’s room. The pictures, like the words in the story, are meant to create a safe environment where a child’s imagination is encouraged to roam free. All in all, Goodnight My Love! is a great bedtime story for young children and also works perfectly as a first picture book for young readers.

Goodnight, My Love! by Shelley Admont is a beautifully written story that begins with Dad telling his son that is time for bed and for him to brush his teeth, put on his pajamas, and he would then read him a story. When the story was over, Dad tucked him in, then leaned over and said good night to his son, and that he loved him. His son replied that he loved his father too, but he couldn't sleep right now. His father asked why, and what was wrong. His son needed a drink of water, so Dad went back downstairs, and then returned with a glass of water. After Dad repeating his words of good night again, his son said he needed his teddy bear. So after Dad fetched the wrong one, his son said that he need Mr. Sniffers. So Dad took another trip downstairs to fetch his favorite teddy bear. After once again bidding his son a good night, his son still could not go to sleep yet...

Ms. Admont does an outstanding job of putting into words just how a loving parent will cater to a child's (in this case a son's) requests in order to help get him to sleep. As I was reading this story, I could tell that this was the first time that the father was putting his son to bed. I could relate with what he was going through, having been there myself. Reading a story, two trips downstairs for a glass of water and his favorite teddy bear? All it takes is one venture like that to learn to gather everything before putting his son to bed. Goodnight, My Love! was a delight to read, and brought back precious memories of putting my own child to bed. Shelley's writing was flawless, and the illustrations really brought the story to life. This a great book for first-time parents. Thank you for writing this wonderful story.

Goodnight, My Love! is a children’s picture book penned by author Shelley Admont, with illustrations in full colour drawn by Samir Boumsik. The plot of the book focuses on the bedtime ritual that so many parents find very difficult to get into with their children. Alex is a little boy who has trouble sleeping, and after his bedtime story his mind is full of ideas. So, Alex’s father comes up with an interesting idea: to help Alex plan his dreams out for the night before he goes to sleep. Through the power of imagination and creative thoughts, Alex and his father plan a grand dream that relaxes and prepares the little boy for a peaceful sleep.

Author Shelley Admont has created a conceptually perfect book with Goodnight, My Love! in the way that it solves parental problems but also entertains as an excellent read too. The idea to have Alex planning out his dreams is genius, because it means we as readers are treated to an exotic, exciting and interesting dream as Alex and his father plot it out for us, making for a varied story line that really utilizes the beautiful illustrations by Samir Boumsik. The book can certainly be used as a fun read in itself, but as a bedtime story it also functions to teach relaxation before bed through creative and communicative means, and show kids that it’s normal to sometimes have sleep trouble and that adults can help them strategize for it. Overall, a highly recommended read.

Goodnight, My Love! is a children’s picture book written by Shelley Admont and illustrated by Samir Boumsik. It was time for Alex to go to bed, but even after being tucked in by his dad and hearing his dad read him a bedtime story, Alex was wide awake. He thought a glass of water would help, but even after Dad gave him some water, Alex still felt awake. Having his favorite teddy, Mr. Sniffers, to cuddle with didn’t help either. What would he dream about? Alex just couldn’t get settled in to fall asleep. Finally his dad had an idea. He and Alex would plan the most perfect and relaxing dream ever.

Shelley Admont’s children’s picture book, Goodnight, My Love!, addresses what is often the most challenging part of a parent’s life -- getting a little one to go to sleep. Alex’s dad is marvelous, kind and patient as he fetches water and bears, and his idea for a mindful and relaxing guided imagery session with Alex is inspired. Guided imagery is not just for bedtime either, and reading this book during story time is an excellent way for caregivers to share this relaxation technique with their children. Samir Boumsik’s illustrations work so very well with the story. I especially loved the images of Alex and his dad as birds flying in the sky and enjoying themselves on the ocean’s surface. Each panel is bright and cheerful; the pastel colors reinforcing the calming effect of the guided imagery. Goodnight, My Love! is most highly recommended.

Do you have a child who doesn't want to go to sleep at night? If so, this may be the perfect book to share. Alex, the young boy in the story, finds every excuse not to go to sleep. His father patiently accommodates by bringing water, his favorite teddy bear, and finally telling him a good story that relaxes him and sends him off to dreamland.

Goodnight My Love is a sweet bedtime story with the added bonus of being bilingual. (I read the Ukrainian version.) After each English sentence, there is a Ukrainian translation. Great for teaching kids a second language! The illustrations are colorful, with swirling blue clouds that give the book a dreamlike feel. They complement the text nicely. Recommended for children ages 3-7.