Jacqui Grantford’s illustrations are very realistic and appealing, and capture the love and playfulness between a mother and her daughter, who looks to be around 3-4 years old. Preschoolers will identify with the daughter, and will smile at the obvious pleasure on the mother and daughter’s faces as they do a little pre-bedtime play.

Reviewed by Magdalena Ball

Squeezy cuddle dangly legs
By Peter Whitfield
Illustrated by Jacqui Grantford
New Frontier Publishing
http://shop.newfrontier.com.au/shop/products/detail.html?Product__product_id=139
ISBN: 9781921042584, 2007, hardcover, $A24.95

It’s almost bedtime, but there are a few things that need doing first – a big cuddle, teeth brushing, butterfly kisses, round the garden, more cuddles, Eskimo kisses, more cuddles, this little piggy, and one more special cuddle. This beautifully presented book follows a warm and loving bedtime routine. If you read it to your child at bedtime, you can follow along, cuddling and kisses your child along with the book. The little surprise at the end will make you and your child laugh, and it’s a perfect lead into to saying goodnight.

Jacqui Grantford’s illustrations are very realistic and appealing, and capture the love and playfulness between a mother and her daughter, who looks to be around 3-4 years old. Preschoolers will identify with the daughter, and will smile at the obvious pleasure on the mother and daughter’s faces as they do a little pre-bedtime play. The book is quick and easy to read (young readers can read along), with enough repetition to allow for confidence building.

Squeezy cuddle dangly legs is a delightful book which could help preschoolers who have difficulty getting into bed at night. It could easily be part of a regular routine that ends the day on a fun, warm and loving note, while still winding young children down. The large hardcover format would make this a good gift.

About the reviewer Magdalena Ball is the author of Sleep Before Evening, The Art of Assessment, and Quark Soup.