Belle and Boo and the Goodnight Kiss

With just a hint of Alison Uttley’s Little Grey Rabbit, the illustrations instantly draw in the readers, placing the child Belle with her toy rabbit Boo. Bedtime obviously has a set routine in this household, and Belle talks us through the experience, enjoying winding down at the end of their busy day. But Boo is not sure he is ready for bed, and when Belle leaves to fetch him a drink of water… familiar?…. Boo decides to hide. The pictures, gently drawn in pastel colours, expand the text, which has just the right amount of repetition to enable the young listener to join in. Belle can’t find the hidden Boo, and she sadly regrets having missed the most important part of bedtime routine…  the goodnight kiss! But once re-united, the two snuggle down for sleep, and Boo asks if tomorrow will be another busy day. Belle’s reassuring response is just right for youngsters’ bedtimes… ‘Very lots of busy,’ she replies.