Category: Children’s Beach Books Week

Today we have a fabulous new picture book for a trip to the beach, and even better, we have a giveaway for a chance to win a copy! See below!

Have you ever noticed that after a busy, hectic day adults are dragged out and tired, but children are often more active and emotional than usual? When this happens, bedtime can become stressful as children resist closing their eyes. The new picture book, Feet, Go to Sleep by Barbara Bottner and Maggie Smith, provides a wonderful way for parents to help their children relax after a particularly exciting day, in this case a day at the beach.

It is obvious on the very first page that Fiona is a little wound up. There she is doing a headstand on her bed instead of getting ready for sleep.

“Time to say good night,” said Mama.
“I’m not ready!” said Fiona.

Fiona uses a common meditation technique to progressively relax. She starts with her toes and moves through her body telling each part to “go to sleep.” That alone might not have made an entertaining book to read, but using a clever parallel storytelling technique, Barbara Bottner relates the relaxation of each body part with an activity that occurred during the trip to the beach that day. First went the toes, which during the day had been wearing flip flops, the knees were used to build a sand castle, etc. Remembering the day also reinforces the good feelings she experienced and adds to the growing sense of calm.

Smith’s illustrations enhance the dual story line. Bright scenes from the day fill each two-page spread. Inset in a smaller box in each spread is a view which shows Fiona progressively relaxing in her bedroom at night. To emphasize the contrast, the bedtime illustration is predominantly filled with cool, calming colors.

Feet, Go to Sleep is an absolutely perfect book to pack for a trip, whether to the beach or elsewhere. It will help prevent too much excitement and/or being in an unfamiliar place from interfering with a restful night. It is guaranteed to become favorite bedtime reading for parents and children alike.

Related activities:

Looking for more ways to help children relax?

1. Blowing bubbles

Bring a small bottle of bubble formula and a bubble wand on trips. Blowing bubbles is especially helpful because blowing requires deep breathing, a known relaxation technique.

2. Coloring

Bring some crayons and paper or coloring books for quiet time. Using crayons to color has recently seen an upsurge in popularity as a relaxation technique for adults, as well. Have you tried it?

3. Spending time outdoors

Time outdoors can help reduce stress. For children in this age group, sand and water play at the beach or even at a nearby sandbox, can be particularly relaxing. A few sand toys or even sturdy waterproof containers (not glass) add to the fun.

Age Range: 3 – 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (May 12, 2015)
ISBN-10: 0449813258
ISBN-13: 978-0449813256

Feet, Go To Sleep Giveaway

Would you like to try to win a copy of Feet, Go To Sleep? Simply sign into Rafflecopter (U.S. mailing addresses only, please). It will ask you to leave a comment on this blog post and/or like our FaceBook page by May 22, 2015 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. A single winner will be selected at random by Rafflecopter and I will notify the winner via e-mail.

The giveaway is now closed.

Be sure to visit all the Feet, Go To Sleep 2015 Blog Tour Stops:

5/12 Booktalking #kidlit – Learn about Barbara Bottner’s writing process.

5/13 GoodReadsWithRonna -with another chance to win copies through a giveaway!

5/14 Here at Wrapped in Foil

5/15 Teaching Authors -celebrates with poetry and another giveaway!

5/16 Big Hair and Books– more about the author

5/18 Frog on a Blog

5/19 Chapter Book Chat – special interview with the author

5/20 In Bed With Books

5/21 Shelf-employed

Check out related Beach Books Week posts with more beach book and activity suggestions:

• Monday: The Beach Book: loads of things to do at lakes, rivers and the seaside
• Tuesday: Picture Book Beach Reads for Kids
• Wednesday: Beach Reads for Older Kids
• Friday: Beach Science Book Suggestions for STEM Friday

Disclosure: The book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at no extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.