Tell Me About Your Day Today

“There once was a boy who loved bedtime,” writes Fox (Two Little Monkeys), and within a few pages, it’s clear why: when Mommy gives “the last good night” and departs, the boy gets to snuggle up with his beloved toys to discuss their respective days. Or, as Fox puts it, “the who, the what, the why, and the way... the whole wild thing... turned out okay.” Thus, with Stringer (The Princess and Her Panther) providing all the details in velvety, saturated acrylics, readers learn that Blue Horse and Greedy Goose (the who), ended up enjoying tea and cookies (the what), after a scary thunderstorm (the why) prompted Goose to throw a blanket over the checkerboard rocking horse to create a tent that made them feel snug and safe. The boy, of course, is the engine driving each toy’s adventure, as Fox and Stringer reveal in the final pages. But as much as this book is about being the center of the universe, it’s also about letting others hold the stage. A good friend, the final contented huddle tells readers, is also a good listener. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)