Age Range: 3 - 6 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 1
Lexile Measure: AD480L
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers;  (February 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780689850936
Product Dimensions: 10 x 0.4 x 11 inches

When his parents tell him it’s time for bed, a little boy enlists the help of his bedroom toys, one by one, to noisily emphasize his retort: GO AWAY! Definitely not your typical lullaby, the book’s repetitive beat of booms and dings and clinks and blings forms a rhythm all its own that will have kids joining in and marching right off to dreamland.


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Inspired by a song learned in a Dalcroze class (where musical concepts are taught through physical movement), Geringer’s text pairs with Ibatoulline’s clean and clear images of a noisy nursery to create a cacophonous offering that settles down by the lights-out conclusion. When a little gnome is told to head to bed, he impersonates every wide-awake child in his reply to his mama: “‘Hush! / Don’t spoil the rhythm / Of my drum . . . Go away.’ / Boom boom.” Other toys join in the protest, such as an elf dinging a gong, a prince “neeeeeeing” on his bassoon, and mermaids “plong plonging” away on their harps. Between the introduction of each new musician, members of a cumulative chorus blast and blow their sounds across the page until a young human boy, who is master of the toys, falls asleep, and all settles down. Rich with group-participation possibilities and full of energy and noise, this offers timeless and colorful fun for the eyes and ears. Preschool-Grade 1. --Andrew Medlar