Back to Bed, Ed! by Sebastien Braun

Hello again, everyone!  March is definitely upon us (it's already the 3rd!) and so the question I have for you is this....did it come in like a LAMB or a LION in your neck of the woods?  Here, pretty much a lamb (no storms or anything) but I think it might have had the heart of a lion (ssstillll cooolllldddd...hello, Mother Nature, it's March...in FLORIDA....it is okay to turn the thermostat up just a bit...thank you).  Gotta love that little groundhog and his predictions....

Today's featured book is as cute (or cuter) than the little weather-predicting groundhog many count on every year, and ten times as effective with its tale (hey, the little dude isn't ALWAYS right.....).  A picture book set up for success as most children go through the same things as Ed at one point or another...shall we get on with the reveal? The book of choice for today's post is....

Back to Bed, Ed!

by

Sebastien Braun

Let's start at the beginning shall we?  Ed is a mouse.  He is one of two mouse children living with his Mommy and Daddy.  They laugh together, they play together, they say good night together and then finally part ways for their adventures in dreamland.  Problem?  Well, while Ed loves going to bed...he just can't seem to stay there.  You see, in the darkness of night, the absence of light tends to play tricks on young minds (oh, who are we kidding, it can do that to anyone at any age), and young Ed is no different.  With an active imagination comes the possibility of almost anything lurking in the shadows, that is unless someone is there to protect him.  *tip*toe*tip*toe*  *KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK* What's this?  It seems that Ed has made his way out of HIS bed and into his parents room.  All tucked in snug, he falls fast asleep....night after night after night after....(well, you get the idea).  What's a parent to do?  Ed wants to be a BIG MOUSE, but can he get over his fear of those things that go bump in the night?

Let's face it.  A fear of the dark is something that most people have dealt with at some point in their lives.  As young children, it often points to our inner fears of being left alone and forgotten, or simply of the unknown.  As we grow older, that initial sting of panic can morph into deeper fears that flesh themselves out in multiple directions.  Either way, it's something that needs to be dealt with...at least if you ever plan on sleeping again and I don't know about you, but as little as I do, I love it when I get the chance.  I remember my own days as a youngster that HAD to have the small lamp on in my room at night.  HAD to.  Meaning if Mom accidentally shut it off, I HAD to go turn it back on.  Nowadays, I usually have the room so dark, that the light from the VCR time display...is annoyingly bright.  Fear conquered!  (Or at least when going to bed....I'm not claiming bravery will be on display if put in a back alley in the pitch blackness of night....~shiver~)

Small children often times have trouble putting those fears aside, leaving the adult (or elder sibling) in quite a predicament.  Aside from relaying your own experience with these same traumas or following the latest expertise to spout from the lips of those in the appropriate fields, you are left with one main option.....books!  Luckily, there is a book written for just about every subject you can imagine, and we're not just talking about how-to parenting books either.  Nope, the trend today (thank goodness) is to speak to children on a more personal level....enter the storybook (or picture book if you prefer)!  Back to Bed, Ed! takes a look at a common childhood fear and a possible way to overcome it all while the reader (and family) are safe and sound in the comforts of their own home. 

The story itself is delightful.  Although short in length, it is filled to the brim with heart and imparts a message of love and security to help see any youngster through til morning.  Take all of that and add in the simple, yet absolutely adorable drawings and you've certainly got a winning combination.  Oh and the small twist at the end (which is not expected when reading a storybook mind you) will provide the reader (or other adults in the reading party) a small chuckle in parting.
Review copy received courtesy of Peachtree Publishers! (THANKS!)  To check out their other great titles for readers of all ages, visit their website, blog (that's right, they have one too), or follow along on Twitter!

Until next time....happy reading!


***Small side note, but full of gratitude....All images included in today's post came to me courtesy of Erin at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANK YOU!)  Check out her feed on Twitter for awesomeness from the world of books and more!