Description
It’s time to sleep, it’s time to sleep,
the fishes croon in waters deep.
The songbirds sing in trees above,
“It’s time to sleep, my love, my love.”
As children prepare for bed, the world around them is also settling down for the night. Animals who live in the jungle, the forest, the sea―all whisper to their babies a soft refrain: It’s time to sleep, my love.
As comforting as a soft blanket and warm as a goodnight hug, Eric Metaxas’s lullaby is lovingly brought to life by bestselling artist Nancy Tillman (On the Night You Were Born) , whose illustrations celebrate the wonders of the natural world, and the bonds of family.
It’s Time to Sleep, My Love is a 2009 Bank Street – Best Children’s Book of the Year.
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Jojo’s Momma –
The artwork in this book is amazing. I think once my son gets older and starts talking, it will be fun to go through this book and point out all the different animals and things to see in the illustrations. There are some sophisticated language in the book, but it works well for me right now since my son is only a month old and just enjoys listening. I could see how some of the verses could require some explanation as a child gets older, but I figure your kid will just be smarter and more poetic! 🙂
The story itself is great and very sweet. I only mention the sophisticated language since some people knocked their ratings based on it. I think it is a good buy.
A Kaysville Reader –
We just got these two books yesterday and I’m blown away by both of them. My two-year-old is more of a Harold fan right now (Harold and the Purple Crayon) and has been put out with me for reading these the two times I have so far, but I’m sure when he gives them a listen he’ll love them. I can see these books lasting for many years to come. I have to disagree with what appears to be the majority and say that I’ve found this a slightly better book than “On the Night You Were Born.” Perhaps it’s just my personal taste. I’ll try to highlight the reasons I like this one better.
It’s time to sleep my love:
Has more spectacular illustrations, in my opinion
Rhymes are all perfect, or nearly
Rhythm is perfect, (the reason it’s described as a lullaby)
Text is more evenly distributed, 1-2 lines per page (4 or so on the last few pages) so each page gets roughly equal face time without disrupting the story, also helps with the soothing bedtime rhythm.
Is so sweet it makes me cry every time
On the Night You Were Born:
Also has beautiful illustrations
Rhymes are sometimes there, sometimes not, which works if you know what’s coming but this annoys me a bit
Rhythm also works if you know what’s coming but is not even throughout
Text is not as evenly distributed. One page has three words and another has eight lines. You have to flip past the short ones pretty quickly to keep the story moving which is sad because they’re so beautiful I’d like to spend a little more time on each. This is not a big deal and the book is still wonderful
Also is so sweet it makes me cry every time
Tells kids that they are unique and special and loved
Get both these books, you’ll be happy you did!
Emma wallace –
We have read this book to our baby since he was born, he is now 1 and loves this book, cute illustrations and good quality.
Skippy –
What a beautiful book. I just love all of Nancy tillman’s baby books. They are gorgeously illustrated and rhyme so well. In love.
Cliente Amazon –
tiene una buena relación calidad precio, y son libros muy tiernos para leer con los niños mientras admiran los dibujos tan maravillosos
Vanessa Lima –
Livro lindo, encantador e tão carinhoso.
María Angélica –
El Niño que le regale le gusta mucho esos libros
Balinska –
I have “on the night you were born”. This book is a disapointment. “my love” makes up about 60% of the words. This book is not worth it. I hope my 12 month old doesn’t choose this book too often!
A. Smith –
This is one of my favorite bedtime stories for children. I have bought this as a baby gift more times than I can count. The writing is simple and soothing and the illustrations are beautiful. I have loved all of the Nancy Tillman books I have read, but this one is my favorite. If you’re looking for the perfect new baby gift, this is it!
Ohyouknow –
My little one and I had worn out our first copy, spine completely fell apart & pages hanging on by a thread. And still we read it. I finally decided to replace our extremely well-loved copy for a new one. We call it our “sleepy book”, as the way it flows makes us sleepy! Perfect bedtime story. Now that my daughter is older she loves pointing out the moon on every page, and pointing out the “mommy” and “baby” animals. The illustrations are my favorite part -“so drones the drowsy bumblebee inside its hive inside its tree” is my favorite page for the text AND the illustration. I know this book by heart, love love love it.
I noticed Tillman didnt write it, and thats why I think I love this one so much! The other books can come off religious (not what some are looking for). We do own the “on the night you were born” book and its ok. But i cant help but think its setting up my kid for future heartache when it describes all of the animals dancing to celebrate her birth…. she is so so special, however the delusions of grandeur surrounding this generation are a bit scary! Bring on humility. Just seems a bit cheesy maybe.
This is the best of both words. Illustrated by Tillman but not written by Tillman. Hoping they collaborate again soon!
Dark Goddess of Love –
I still read these to my teenager, she has always loved every book I’ve read to her by Nancy Tillman 💜
DeeDiDee –
It’s Time To Sleep, My Love, is a lovely bedtime book for a boy or a girl. It is one of the few books we own that completely captures my little boy’s attention. He sits and studies the big, fanciful watercolor illustrations and listens to the soothing refrains of the verses and is lulled into a quieter state. He knows it’s his special bedtime story and loves it.
Every page is generously illustrated with lavish watercolors of children and animals winding down for a night’s rest. For example, you have a small child perched on the back of a drifting swan as though going on the journey of sleep amd dreams for the evening. There is a child curled up with a sleeping panda in the fork of a tree branch. The interactions between people and children really appeal to small ones and encourage them to use their imaginations.
I found the soothing, repetitious verses with the refrain of “It’s time to sleep, my love” to be soothing. The School Lobrary Journal criticized the writing stating that it was too redundant. My son finds it restful and it lulls him to sleep. They also complained that some of the verses would trip up parent tongues. I found the beauty of the words and verses to be old-fashioned and a little reminiscent of old poetry. We used to appreciate finding beauty and meaning in words, and it is beneficial to children to make them think. Overall, I thought the wording was fanciful, simple, and lovely.
I highly recommend this book for your child and hope you get as much enjoyment out of the bedtime tradition as we have.