Good Night America

Our comfort with Goodnight Moon contributed to the interest piqued in Adam Gamble's Goodnight World series. I purchased Good Night America first, and have since added Good Night California, Good Night Hawaii, Good Night World, Good Night Beach, and Good Night Zoo to our collection. Soothing cadences of rhythm and rhyme they are not, but they are reading treasures nonetheless. One page reads: "Greetings, Everglades, home to alligators and so many other creatures." (Good Night America) The structure of the text is appropriate for toddlers, but parents and caregivers will find themselves surprised by the complexity of the vocabulary introduced in a board book. Sometimes the word introduced is a proper noun, like Everglades, giving you the opportunity to discuss this person or place. Perhaps you already have some experience with it or maybe you'll consider including it in your next family vacation. The opportunities for cognitive development are many with this series - the vocabulary alone affords many learning opportunities. What I love most though, is the opportunity to connect the books to reality, whether that's on a family vacation or a visit to a local zoo. Differentiating between fantasy and reality is a cognitive skill acquired during the preschool years, but that doesn't mean we have to wait until then to discuss it - compare Good Night Moon to Good Night America with your child. Which characters and places are real and which are not? Also, engage your child in discussion of the places in the books that you have visited. Did you visit today? Yesterday? Months ago? Will you go there soon? Discussion of the passage of time will help to solidify his or her concept of time and memory - another preschool developmental milestone. Appropriate for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, on up! Also reviewed at LittleSproutBooks.

This gorgeous introduction to the USA and all its wonders is beautifully illustrated. Other books in this series have boring, more work-book-stiff-looking art. This one shines. The stars in the sky, the twinkle in children's eyes, the feathers on the bald eagle... all have depth and a softness that renders this book a wonderful gift. We have given it to foreign guests several times! And our toddler loves the bedtime ritual of putting the whole country to sleep :)

This fits in perfectly for our monthly rotating theme in my in home daycare. The kids just love it

What a cute and creative way to take a trip across America. This book gives toddlers an introduction to their country and introduces vocabulary that is a part of their heritage. Illustrations are simple and not too busy.

This is a fantastic book to teach any young one about the vast United States, from East to West Coast. Especially a big hit with our European cousins to teach their little ones about the diverse geography & sites, as well as teaching a little English.

I collect for my future kids of all countries I’ve traveled to. Love these collections.

The theme of our preschool summer camp was "Sightseeing Around the World". Since we live in Utah, we started with this book and then went on to "Good Night, America" and "Good Night, World". These books were a great way to introduce our themes with colorful pictures and simple words. The board books are great for all those little hands to use. They should last us quite awhile.

Once my daughter would sit still for a board book, she took to these books like crazy. Her all-time favorite is Good Night Washington DC, but America is gaining on DC. The fact that my kid knows what the Statue of Liberty looks like, and can point it out makes my heart sing. Fantastic series of books (we have about 6 of them!).

Really cute story for little ones!