Cover Image: Time for Bed, Miyuki

Time for Bed, Miyuki

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Member Reviews

The colors in this book are just stunning. I love the brightness of the artwork. Finn really enjoyed this book, probably because it reminded him so much of himself. He does anything he can not to go to sleep. I really enjoyed reading it and the imagination of the book.

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This is such a cute book, following Miyuki and her grandfather through their loving tradition of reading bedtime stories together. Miyuki loves to delay going to bed and her reasons are hilariously creative! My daughter loved looking at the images as well as hearing the ideas Miyuki had, and even tries to use a few of them on me! This book has stunning illustrations and it a wonderfully poetic story. Highly recommend this book!

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This is an absolutely gorgeous book with brilliant illustrations to engage you and pull you into this charming story. My daughter fights her sleep so this book is perfect for her, she loves having books read to her and I can see this being a firm favourite. 5 stars

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This is an extremely gorgeous book! So many different patterns used, yet they don't clash at all! The execution is so clean and absolute. So beautiful! If illustrator Seng Soun Ratanavanh is on a platform I have an account for (Twitter, Bēhance, and Pinterest), I would follow her in a heartbeat. Highly recommended for the splendid artwork!

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I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful and brightly colored book. The pictures were very bright. It was a cute story and just the right length for bedtime.

#NetGalley

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“Miyuki, it’s time for bed.”

“But, Grandfather, I must water my vegetables.” “All right,

Miyuki,” Grandfather sighed.

“Water your vegetables, and then it’s time for bed.”

Miyuki may well be creating a Canopy for the Queen but she is the Queen of Stalling. This beautifully illustrated children’s bedtime book is a French import with Japanese culture as its theme. Having lived in Japan, it’s imagery is a reminder of the years my family and I spent there. Miyuki is one of my favorite names too. There is such a gentle tenderness, a patience in her grandfather and this illustration in particular moves me.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-time-for-bed-miyuki-shoe-bed.jpg (the photo is included in the blog review)

(Image copyright Seng Soun Ratanavanh, 2018, text copyright Roxane Marie Galliez, 2018. Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press.)

My daughter used to stuff her little feet into shoes just like the one that becomes Miyuki’s bed in the above photo, long after she outgrew her favorite pair. The mushroom, the details in all of the illustrations are perfection. I miss fun, sweet illustrated children’s books.

Like most children when it’s time to wind down, Miyuki’s imagination is running wild, her energy is contagious and lucky for her, Grandfather is more than willing to go along on her journey, accomplishing her many tasks. His soft sighs are the only tell that he is worn out. It really isn’t time for bed, no way, not yet.

The carp streamers (windsocks) known as Koinobori, that she sits upon in one of the illustrations dominate the towns during Children’s Day in May. I remember the beautiful colors the first time we saw them, isn’t it lovely, a day to celebrate children? This book is a nod to nature and it’s elements too. Lily pads, dragonflies, frogs, snails for travel, tiny birds, ants hard at work… its perfect imagery for a little one’s mind before entering dreamland. Growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s children’s books had the best illustrations, I am so happy to see such artistry dedicated to the young today.

I am going to find a copy in French too for my grown children, it’s very sweet!

Out today!

Princeton Architectural Press

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*I was provided with an ARC of this book through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a charming little book! Being a children’s book it was very short, but I enjoyed every second of it. Every child loves repetition in a book and I loved how the list gradually grew of all the things that Miyuki needed to do before bed. The whole time I was reading it, I could just imagine how great it would sound being read aloud to children.

Though it was a simple children’s story, I felt like I still had a full grasp on the characters of Miyuki and her grandfather. Miyuki’s curiosity and sense of childish responsibilities and duty was so sweet and humorous. She truly reflected every child before going to bed, who can think of a thousand things that they need to do before they can sleep. Miyuki’s grandfather was adorable and he really emphasised the funny side of Miyuki not going to bed, as he kept reciting everything she’d done/needed to do before she could rest. Him following along with all her little plans was so endearing, and would speak to every parent who tries to get their child to go to sleep, exhausted by and yet amused by them at the same time.

The illustrations in this book were absolutely gorgeous and really made the story come to life. They were so bright and full of life, like Miyuki was. They captured Miyuki and her grandfather so well, rounding out their characters in such a beautiful way. It really reflected the dynamics between Miyuki and her grandfather perfectly, as he was almost trailing after her, one step behind, in each picture.

The illustrations were what I enjoyed most about this book, and they made me realise just how much I love picture books. I did really like the story though and would strongly recommend it to anyone to read, especially as a bedtime story, it was comical and very touching.

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Grandfather is trying to get Miyuki to bed, but she keeps thinking of very important things that must be done before she can sleep.

I think the artwork for this can be somewhat described as an Asian-influenced art deco wonderland. It is magical and whimsical. The artwork definitely is a huge part of the allure to the story. The imaginativeness of the tasks that Miyuki comes up with that need to be done also get perks. I can totally see a child thoroughly wrapped up in their play world insisting these things need to be done, but I pretty much guarantee that 90% of them won’t be found in any other bedtime book. Miyuki’s grandfather is patient and totally willing to jump into her world to get things done…and eventually then get her to bed. He’s a smart one with just enough youth still in his heart to be able to imagine with Miyuki. If bedtime stories seem to be getting repetitive and dull, give this one a try. Also a good one for grandfathers and granddaughters to read together. And definitely pick it up for the artwork and the imagination regardless of your age.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Beautifully illustrated tale of a little girl, bedtime, and a very patient grandfather

Time for Bed, Miyuki is a gorgeous picture book with vibrant and whimsical creations wandering across the page. Miyuki is reluctant to go to bed, so she presents her grandfather with all the reasons that she cannot go to bed. One at a time, each excuse is patiently, gently, and lovingly considered and dealt with. As ants crawl across the page and a frog peeks from a wooden pail, Miyuki and her grandfather construct a canopy for the Dragonfly Queen and her court, water her vegetable garden, gather a snail family, cover the cat, dance the last dance of the day, and complete her bedtime ablutions. Yet another bedtime ritual must occur before Miyuki can find it in herself rest, but her grandfather patiently performs his role.

This story is sweetly told, and everyone understands that grandparents give in to requests quite a bit more easily than parents do, but perhaps there’s more to the story than that. But then again, children (and grandparents) can be incredibly creative when it comes to reasons for not climbing into bed and surrendering to sleep.

Time for Bed, Miyuki reads like a poem flowing from page to page. The amazingly detailed watercolor and colored pencil drawings include classic Japanese symbols and items from carp kites to bento boxes, intricate patterns, and bright, vibrant color schemes. Miyuki and her grandfather wear typical Japanese outfits in bright patterns. Adding to the story is the whimsy of scale as they ride kites, sport wings and dance atop mushrooms and gigantic vegetables. While Miyuki may bathe in what looks like a realistic bathroom with the exception of a cloud or two, her grandfather tucks her into a bed that’s a shoe resting on a tree stump in a room carpeted with mushrooms and lit by delicately bent stems of lilies of the valley.

If I natter on about the illustrations, it’s only because I wish you could hold this book in your hands and admire the artwork yourself before deciding whether to buy it. That is the disadvantage of online stores, that we cannot leaf through the entire picture book as we would usually do in a brick-and-mortar store, and See Inside is not always sufficient to give us a true look at the book. Picture books are one of my weaknesses and this one is simply amazing. Each picture has so many details to explore and to discuss. It’s just way too much fun as a story, as art, and as a window into Japanese culture.

Highly recommended for those who love childish endeavors, picture books, whimsical artwork, and children’s books. This is a story you can return to again and again.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publisher through NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

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Remember those days when you did not want to go to bed and made up excuses to delay bedtime? Well, Miyuki’s excuses are more whimsical than mine ever were! This book was a joy to read and the illustrations were a true visual treat!

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Time for Bed, Miyuki by Roxane Marie Galliez follows little Miyuki as she has just one more thing to do before bed. She must water the garden, gather snails, and cover the cat among other things. All the while, patient Grandfather helps Miyuki with her fanciful tasks. This little storybook is full of gorgeous Japanese style artwork. My cubs and I loved the pictures. It wasn't a favourite of mine though, since even our young ones got exasperated with Miyuki's delaying tactics. Dilly-dallying and disobedience aren't something our family tolerates when it's time for bed, and Miyuki looks of an age to know better. I think I'd only recommend this to families I knew had a compatible mindset. It's not for everyone, since it has the potential to give young children the wrong idea about what is acceptable and not.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Princeton Architectural Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Time for Bed, Miyuki takes the familiar story of a child putting off her bedtime and elevates it to pure poetry. The prose is elegant and sweet, and the art is a revelation. Lyrical and stunning, this book is destined to be a classic.

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This is a beautifully illustrated, cumulative tale about Miyuki and her Grandfather. There seems to always be one more thing to do before Miyuki can go to bed! When everything is finally done, all that is left if a bedtime story. The relationship depicted between Miyuki and Grandfather is very sweet and the illustrations are magical and vibrant.

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I had mixed feelings about this book.
If you enjoy a respectful story about a child negotiating her way to delay bedtime while she does a variety of creative things in her garden, especially if you are thankful to see people of color and generations working together— this is just what you’re looking for.

The illustrations, too, will be very appealing to readers who enjoy this color palette and a high level of detail. Especially creative is the way the artist re-scales the human characters, shrinking them to a size that makes the child’s small tasks as epic as can be.

My only hesitation is our own personalities in my home. Delays aren’t something we’re very accomodating with in our bedtimes, so the ever-patient grandfather in this story would be more of a fantasy than the dragonfly queen Miyuki (the young protagonist) expects to visit the next day.

This wouldn’t be a bedtime story in our home, but I could see it becoming a lovely read-aloud for the afternoons when we’re planting ideas for outdoor play.

My thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the digital review copy.

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I'm quite impressed with how astounding the illustrator, Seng Soun Ratanavanh, has done with the drawings. The graphics are stunning and what I like about them is how Ratanavanh used the traditional mediums such as using color pencils and watercolors to drew them. The East Asian or Japanese vibe was also clearly portrayed in each illustration and the great story written by Roxane Marie Galliez made the entire this children's storybook fanciful, appealing and totally entertaining.

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Time for Bed, Miyuki is a beautifully illustrated book that shows a young Japanese girl and her grandfather. Miyuki doesn't want to go to bed yet, so she persuades her grandfather to help her undertake tasks in preparation for the visit of the "Dragonfly Queen".
They go to the garden and make a canopy under the cherry trees, Miyuki visits the vegetable garden, we see colorful and meticulous, joyful images of Japanese home life and culture as Miyuki thinks of more tasks to delay bedtime. Until it is finally time to rest. It's a book that will help slow down the evening and put a young child to bed.

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Time for Bed, Miyuki is a charming, fantastical story of a girl who doesn't want to go to bed. While that is not an unusual theme for children's literature, this story stands out by its use of amusing fantasy elements (such as a family of giant snails, and creative use of character sizes), as well as the celebration of certain aspects of Japanese culture.

I love the colors in the illustrations, and the way that fantasy is incorporated into reality -- I think it strikes a good balance. Miyuki's grandfather patiently plays along with each of her requests to complete all the different things she must do before bed, but by the end she finally does lie down and go to sleep, making this a great, whimsical bedtime story.

(Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.)

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This story is for every child who tries to put off going to sleep every night. Great illustrations - vibrant colors. Loved it!

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This sweet and beautifully illustrated book tells the story of little Miyuki, who like children everywhere just won’t go to sleep. At night, she recalls all the things she needs to do (😀) : water the veggies, gather snails and prepare for the arrival of the Dragonfly Queen. Her kind grandfather indulges her while encouraging her bedtime in this lovely story reflective of gentle Japanese culture.

Pub Date 18 Sep 2018

Thanks to Princeton Architectural Press and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#TimeForBedMiyuki #NetGalley

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What a precious book. I had a smile on my face throughout as I walked with grandfather and granddaughter through the garden as they prepared (slowly) for bed. A loving grandfather engaging in all of his granddaughters requests to prepare for a magical feast that night. It was sweet, magical and a story that will stick with me.

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