Night Fun

My 2 year old likes this book, and I have memorized it page by page after reading it so many times. It's a fun little rhyme, and a quick book for reading at bedtime. It also may inspire your little one to learn more about astronomy, as it mentions most of the planets by name, as well as asteroids and comets. Being an amateur astronomer myself, I was glad to find a book that introduces space to the very young in the form of a nursery rhyme. However, I thought that some of the illustrations in the book are frankly quite scary looking for an observant and overimaginative child. My 2 year old hasn't really noticed them, but an older child might. For instance, while sliding down Saturn's rings, there are illustrations of faces on the rings that look like icy bearded old men. Kind of creepy. Also in the rock formations on Pluto the mountains have scary faces with large teeth, and don't look at all friendly. Asteroids and moon rocks have faces too, although they have neutral expressions. I thought the faces throughout the book weren't very nice or friendly for a book for young children, though they tend to blend into the background and some kids may not notice them. The main characters themselves do look bright and friendly, though.

When I first read this book I thought it was weird and way over the top for young kids. Well my 2 1/2 year old memorized it and knew every page. He asks for it EVERY night and just loves it. The pictures do intrigue them and I guess parents just shouldn't judge the books by the cover - let the kids decide. I highly recommend this book.