Good Night Like This (Board)

The perfect bedtime read, snuggle down with this adorable new book from Mary Murphy, creator of A Kiss Like This and Say Hello Like This, as she invites you into lots of different little snorey, twitchy, cuddly animals’ homes as they get ready to go to sleep. With a beautiful sleepy action on every split-page, a lulling, rhythmical text and a cast of cute animal families, this book is sure to emit lots of oooh, aaaahs and . zzzzzz.
From the creator of A Kiss Like This and Say Hello Like This, comes a third Like This novelty title – a gorgeous exploration of the many ways animals snuggle down to sleep, and the perfect read-aloud for parents and babies to share at bedtime.
KIRKUS REVIEW

The third entry in Murphy’s …Like This series explores the nighttime world of animal parents and babies settling down for sleep.

Each double-page spread shows a different adult-baby animal pair (or grouping of several youngsters) in its own outdoor environment. The adult-baby pairs or groups clearly convey deep attachment, but the pairings are not specified as mother-child, so the book is equally meaningful for dads or grandparents or caregivers to read to their favorite little ones. The patterned text offers a few descriptive words in a rhyming couplet followed by a simple “good night, sleep tight” wish. A cleverly designed half-page flap then turns to show the animals sleeping “like this.” A tiny animal or insect pops up on these sleepy pages with a white speech balloon offering a cheery “Good night!” These little critters are also skillfully camouflaged on the full-page illustration the flap lies over, providing an additional layer of interest as readers look back to spot the hiding places. Vibrant illustrations use a glowing palette of golds and purples, swirling lines, and Murphy’s signature thick, black outlines to create an evocative atmosphere of deepening twilight. This is a bedtime story that has it all: humor, playful language, and a soothing combination of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition woven together with compelling illustrations that have the surrealistic edge of the dream world.

Move over, Goodnight Moon. There’s a new star on the bedtime bookshelf. (Picture book. 1-5)

About the Author

Mary Murphy, renowned for her fresh, bold artwork and warm, colourful graphics, has written and illustrated many picture books, including How Kind!, Little Owl and the Star, I Kissed the Baby and Utterly Lovely One. Her 2012 novelty title, A Kiss Like This, was shortlisted for the Irish Bisto Book of the Year Award and its sequel, Say Hello Like This! Was met to great critical acclaim, the New York Times describing how “Murphy’s rich pastel washes and thick, painterly black outlines give Say Hello Like This! A prettiness that’s matched by an exuberant typeface”. Adored by pre-schoolers, Mary has also written many Walker Baby board books, including Mouse is Small, Quick Duck, Slow Snail and, most recently, Are You My Mummy? Mary lives in Galway, Ireland.