CM Magazine

No, that's not the man in the moon! It's a dog in the moon! Ned the dog just cannot fall asleep no matter how cozy his bed is. He's lonely and scared. He decides to hide under the covers to escape. His imagination goes into overdrive as he imagines himself up on the moon. He discovers the moon is as dark and lonely as his bedroom. He cheers up considerably when three stars come to visit him. They dance and have a party on the moon. Was this just what Ned needed to fall asleep?

     The author has included a pop-up night sky on the inside cover of this book. Children can place the pop-up sky in front of a light source and see "stars" on their ceiling. The author also provides Ned with a pop-up rocket; a nice effect near the middle of the book.

     This book has a somber, quiet feel to it, as it should, being the story is set at night and in space! Sometimes, when I focus just on Ned's face, I cannot figure out what emotion he's conveying.

     Children will enjoy having Ned Goes to Bed read to them at night. I didn't hide under my covers; I called for my mom, but for those children who do hide there, they might identify with Ned. Ned - the dog in the moon!