Thank You and Good Night

PreS-Gr 1—Clement, a rabbit, is having his first sleepover. Jean (an elephant) and Alan Alexander (a bear) arrive appropriately dressed in pajamas, ready to take part in the fun. The friends spend their evening in innocent pursuits, such as happily performing the chicken dance, playing hide-and-seek, and jumping on the bed. Maggie, the young girl who shares Clement's home, serves each animal an appropriate snack—a carrot, peanuts, and honey—before the three get ready to settle down for the night. Charm and humor share the spotlight in equal measure: Alan Alexander loses his pajama bottoms while jumping on the bed; a sleepy bunny hopefully asks several times, "Now is it time for bed?"; and the three make comical expressions during a "funny face" contest. Maggie reads them bedtime stories, then asks what they are grateful for and a sweet, heartfelt poem follows. McDonnell pays homage to children's literature classics, providing plenty of nods: a red balloon, a bear and a honey pot, and a rabbit in blue-and-white pajamas.