About the Holiday
Created in 1986 by Kevin Zaborney, National Hugging Day is a heartwarming holiday that encourages people to express their affection and care for one another through the simple act of giving hugs. Hugs are a universal form of physical affection that can convey love, comfort, and support. This day reminds us of the positive impact of a warm embrace and the importance of human connection. So today give your kids, spouse, parents, siblings, and friends extra hugs. You can even send virtual hugs to loved ones who are far away. To extend National Hugging Day throughout the year, add today’s snuggly hug of a book to your bedtime story collection. It’s sure to become a favorite!
Thanks to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sharing this review copy of Goodnight, Sleepyville with me!
Goodnight, Sleepyville
Written by Blake Liliane Hellman | Illustrated by Steven Henry
“In Sleepyville, the sun is setting, and everyone’s done for the day.” They head home from work or school or running errands. At the Acorn Cafe, the owner is just sweeping up. At the library the last book is being checked out. And as Mr. Bear leaves downtown, he’s reading an interesting article in the newspaper. Where is everyone going? Home! “To simple homes, dome homes, teensy-weensy homes, …and very fancy homes.”
Image copyright Steven Henry, 2020, text copyright Blake Liliane Hellman, 2020. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
At home it’s time to wash up and enjoy a family supper—with milk and cookies for dessert. Later, in cozy pajamas, it’s time to “snuggle, wiggle, cuddle.” The moon rises and “though some are tucked in, snug as a bug…others need a lullaby. And maybe a bedtime story.” Then each resident of this little hamlet drifts off to sleep in their own way under a sky twinkling with stars and flitting fireflies. Then we say, “Goodnight, Sleepyville” and watch “all the lights go out… except one.”
Image copyright Steven Henry, 2020, text copyright Blake Liliane Hellman, 2020. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
If you’re looking for a cozy, welcoming place to lay your head at the end of the day, there’s no place like home—or Sleepyville. In Blake Liliane Hellman’s tranquil town where close-set cottages and tree-trunk homes reflect the close-knit community, evening comes with comforting routines and the welcome of family. Hellman’s charming alliteration and gentle rhymes turn each sentence into a lullaby just perfect for bedtime reading. Her final line is sweetly clever, and will lead little ones to try and guess which light remains glowing and why. The answer on the next page is sure to spark requests for another read.
Image copyright Steven Henry, 2020, text copyright Blake Liliane Hellman, 2020. Courtesy of Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Steven Henry’s adorable seaside community enchants with quaint details and a relaxed, happy atmosphere rendered in delicate lines and soft, warm colors. Babies and adults welcome home family members with cheery enthusiasm (you don’t want to miss the two ladybugs rushing to embrace at their toadstool home’s front door or the sprawling Victorian treehouse). Images of the fox family having supper around the table and then doing the dishes together are homey, and kids will giggle at two sleepyheads wearing mixed-up pajamas. After the sun has set, a momma or papa wolf howls a lullaby to three cubs while the bunny clan listens to a story before being tucked in. With the crescent moon shining and the town in slumber, one little light still glimmers. Where does it come from? Turn the page and see!
Goodnight, Sleepyville is dreamy reading for bedtime that families will turn to again and again and would be a welcome addition to home and public library collections. Pair with the first book in this little series, Welcome to Morningtown, to begin and end the day with favorite friends.
Ages Birth – 5
Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2020 | ISBN 978-1681198767
Blake Liliane Hellman has degrees in journalism and English from the University of Colorado and a master’s in film production from American University/FAMU, Czech Republic. She is an abstract artist who also works with mixed media and collage and is the author of Goodnight, Sleepyville, Something Smells! and Cuddle Monkey. She lives with her family and cat in Seattle, Washington. Visit Blake Liliane Hellman on Instagram at blakecake8.
Steven Henry is the illustrator of the beloved Ella the Elegant Elephant books (as Steven D’Amico), written by Carmela D’Amico, It’s Raining Bats & Frogs, written by Rebecca Colby, and Hanukkah Hop, written by Erica Silverman. His work has also appeared on PBS Kids, Nick Jr., and the Disney Channel. He lives in Seattle, Washington. Visit him at stevenhenry.net.
You’ll also love the adorable Welcome to Morningtown! Read my review of this sweet readaloud, including an interview with Blake Liliane Hellman and Steven Harvey!
National Hugging Day Activity
Free Hug Coupons
Everyone needs a hug now and then! With these Free Hug coupons you can extend National Hugging Day to every day of the year and make sure all your favorite people get a sweet hug when they need it most.
Supplies
- Printable Free Hug Coupons
- Crayons or colored pencils (optional)
- Scissors
Directions
- Print the Free Hug coupons
- Color the coupons and cut apart
- Hand out the coupons to your friends and family members and tell them that each coupon is good for one free hug from you.
- When someone hands in a ticket to you, give them your best biggest hug!
You can purchase Goodnight, Sleepyville at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)
Picture Book Review
celebratepicturebooks.com 