"A charming, metafictive good night." -- Kirkus Reviews "The title may make readers suspect that they''re in for dire warnings in the vein of The Monster at the End of This Book, but Burk (Tree House in a Storm) actually has delay tactics on the mind. A hedgehog named Sami knows that the end of a bedtime story means it''s bedtime. ''I''ll let you read one more page,'' Sami tells her mother in one of several small capitulations that satisfy her curiosity about the story they''re reading, about a bear''s preparations for bed. However, Burk doesn''t avoid metafiction entirely. Downing''s (Spooky Friends) illustrations shift between cozy scenes in Sami''s tree-trunk home and equally snug images of the mother bear and cub in the book. There''s more: Sami has a toy bear, the bear in her book has a stuffed hedgehog, and both animals are reading the same book that (human) readers are holding. That final touch is an oft-seen visual Easter egg, but in this case, it underscores a reality-bending connection between reader and text, especially after the last pages reveal that the bear family may not be fictional after all.
Gentle yet clever stuff." Ages 3-8. (June) -- Publishers Weekly "A cozy story for little ones who try their best to stay awake, with a story within a story within a story! This should ease all cubs, hoglets and children off to Dreamland." -- Carla Kozak, San Francisco Public Library "Julie Downing creates a lush night-time world, inhabited by two endearing toddlers and their loving Mamas. Someone is being read to, but in this clever bedtime story there lies an unexpected and delightful twist." -- Ashley Wolff, illustrator of the Miss Bindergarten books "Adorable soft-colored detailed illustrations add to the quieting peace and palpable love of this charming double bedtime story. that will be quickly beloved by toddlers and preschoolers everywhere." -- Midwest Book Review "This is another great little book for young readers.
And it even has printable activities below. With cute pictures throughout. And a wonderful story what more could you want from a children''s book? The story was just wonderful and the story inside the story was done so well as not to confuse young children. And this book is sure to be the go to book for kids getting ready for bed. Yes, this was another cute little book that my three year old ran away with. " --Crossroad Reviews "The story within a story is delightful and will amuse even the most sleepy children.This book is definitely a keeper." --Book Reviews by Tima "It is difficult enough to write one publishable story but the author wrote two for this picture book.
The story of Little Bear could be a solo book kids would love. I suppose the question to ask is which story do you like best? That of Little Bear or of Sami Hedgehog? Kids and parents might differ but I choose them both. The illustrator did a fantastic job on both stories. Each are different in style and color. I really like the turned up page corner on Little Bear''s right side page. It is just waiting for Sami to tell her Mama to turn that page. The ending is quite a surprise and may have you thinking about reality. At the very least it will give you a huge smile, as will the back of the book.
Young children and parents will love this dual bedtime story. The story of Sami going to bed and the story of Little Bear going to bed, flow well together as you read from one story to the next. For those kids not ready for bed, not yet tired, or simply determined to stay awake, Don''t Turn the Page will send them off to where sweet dreams lay waiting. Mama, or Daddy, will enjoy ready this story in a story. The title, Don''t Turn the Page, is possibly not the best title because all you will want to do is turn the page. I''m betting your little one will want these pages turned as well. However, don''t be surprised if the new stalling tactic in your house is ''Don''t Turn the Page!''" --Kid-lit Reviews "Don''t Turn the Page! is a cozy book within a book that belongs on the bedside of every toddler. Starting with the beautiful cover, this book encourages parents and kids to snuggle up together and get ready for bed.
But like most toddlers, Sami the porcupine doesn''t want to go to bed because she is not tired. Gently and patiently, Mama plays along - getting Sami to read a book about a sleepy cub as he goes through his own bedtime routine. And before Mama can turn the page, Sami''s putting on her pyjamas, brushing her teeth, and cuddled into bed. With beautiful illustrations and a rhythmic narrative that gradually slows as the story progresses, Don''t Turn the Page! will not get kids excited like the pigeon- but it will put them to sleep. Exactly the outcome every parent wants at the end of a busy day." --YolandaRidge Reviews My son and I sat down to read this book and very quickly he said "wait mommy, let me read the story part" so we were able to read it together and that was fun. I love the pictures throughout the book. They are very calming.
The cover is eye catching. This would be a great addition to any child''s bookshelf! Review from my six year old son, Max- "This book is awesome! I like to read the story part. The title is funny. My mommy and I kept saying DON''T TURN THE PAGE!" --Libby''s Fun Books "This is an adorable book, and perfect for gift giving to younger children at any occasion! We highly recommend it!" --Bless Their Hears Mom "Though the story is captivating it''s the illustrations will have you staring for hours. I loved each and every one!!!" --Hott Books Reviews "The wonderful illustrations by Julie Downing will make you want to snuggle down in bed. It is a great story to help young children to get ready for bed and go to sleep. I am sure like Sami, they will be saying,''Don''t turn the page!'' as they will not want to miss hearing any of this delightful story." --Children''s Web Magazine "A completely charming, cozy book-within-a-book by Rachelle Burk, perfectly paired with illustrations by Julie Downing.
" --Books4YourKids "No kid ever willingly wants to go to bed, but a good story can rarely be stopped after only one page. This book uses a child''s own curiosity to convince them to get into bed, and just maybe, to fall asleep. The unique thing about Don''t Turn the Page it that it has a story within a story. When you get to the end, the two stories come together in a pretty cool way. 5 out of 5 rating!" --SweetSouthernHome "Like most children, Sami, an adorable hedgehog, tries to stall her bedtime. But reading a story about Little Bear''s bedtime ritual inspires Sami to get ready for bed in this cute and clever book-within-a-book story. And the illustrations, by Julie Downing, perfectly compliment the mood and tone of a bedtime story." --Barista Kids Parenting "If you only read one book about a porcupine baby who reads a story about a bear cub who reads a story about a porcupine baby all year, it should be this one.
It''s a book within a book, a story and a meta-story, and it''s all kinds of adorable!" --Cozy Little Book Journal "A bedtime book that both parent and child will relish reading one more time, Don''t Turn the Page! features a surprise ending that reinforces the sense that it''s bedtime for everyone. 5 stars!" --Crossroad Reviews "The wonderful illustrations by Julie Downing of adorable cuddly animals will make you want to snuggle down in bed. It is a great story to help young children to get ready for bed and go to sleep. I am sure like Sami they will be saying "Don''t turn the page!" as they will not want to miss hearing any of this delightful story." --Children''s Web Magazine "Burk divides the text into rhythmic rhyme for obedient Little Bear''s nightly routine. Sami''s story is told in prose, punctuated perfectly with her repeated, resistant command, ''Don''t turn the page.'' Mama Hedgehog is ever patient and reasonable, adapting to Sami''s sleepy pace as the book unfolds. Downing masterfully weaves the two tales seamlessly together through clever illustrations that show clues of the story-in-story on each page in alternating fashion.
Different typefaces and thick page borders also reinforce the message about which story is being told and ties it neat together in the end. The creatures are charming, and the soft colors are rich and muted. A special treat are the book''s endpapers, which echo the animal''s pajamas! Don''t Turn the Page! is an endearing winner for bedtime reading. There may be no guarantee that kids will ever willingly get ready for bed, but I''m willing to bet that they will ask for this book to be read again and again." --Goodreads with Ronna "Don''t Turn the Page! makes the nighttime ritual of settling down a positive experience for wee ones. By reading about what the super cute bear cub as well as the baby hedgehog are doing, young children will want to do the same. The illustrations by Julie Downing are darling, and you''ll love the hedgehog family''s tree house with all its details and the way Julie depicts hedgehog fur. There''s a lot of color in the pictures, and they have a dreamy-like quality to them that is ideal for a bedtime story.
It''s fun for children to read the tale of the bear cub, while reading the story of the hedgehog, and the parallel theme really brings the message home that it''s time to go to sleep. This is a charming bedtime story for the youngest readers that parents will love too, because they can snuggle with their kids for a cozy read and send them off to dream.