Need a book that will make your energetic child beg to go to bed? Here it is:
And if the cover didn’t give you a clue as to the energy level of this book, the dedication page will.
Text ©️Bethany Hegedus Illustration ©️Mike Deas
Enter, dog with football as the family appears to be arriving home from a game. Football fans listen up! Read this in your best announcer voice. The energy is palpable:
Text ©️Bethany Hegedus Illustration ©️Mike Deas
Football? Check.
Whistle? Check.
Time clock? Check.
Playbook? Check.
Then racing after the dog into the bathroom.
Text ©️Bethany Hegedus Illustration ©️Mike Deas
Scrubbing. Scrubbing. Dunking.
Then into jammies.
Showing hustle.
Toothbrushing.
Football-ing with the dog.
Running plays.
Slipper catching.
Toy picking-upping.
Oh, what a lively way to finish out the day!
Until it’s time—three minutes remaining on the clock,
to cuddle up for a story-time-out! That’s when the team finally slows down.
The room dims. Hearts open. Eyes close.
And soon the snoozing begins.
A fabulous book to release those last minute bedtime wiggles, and end with a quiet story. Brilliant!
The illustrations add playful humor and energy to a fast-paced text (with lots of sporty football puns). A guaranteed hit!
Activities:
Make a FLICK FOOTBALL and play the game
Pair with an early reader – Don’t Throw It to Mo! by David Adler
Pair with 10 Minutes till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann (how are the books similar? how are they different?)
Title: Huddle Up! Cuddle Up!
Author: Bethany Hegedus
Illustrator: Michael Deas
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2020
Ages: 3-7
Themes: Football, family, bedtime
For more perfect picture book recommendations, please visit Susanna Hill’s blog.
Jilanne Hoffmann 
What a perfect book to end the day. My great grandsons would adore this! No posting link today?
It also seemed fitting to post this on one of those football weekends, LOL! I’m thinking they’ll really get into the spirit of this bedtime story! They must love having you send them books!
The title is great (even though I am not a football fan!).
Yes, the title is very catchy. And I’m thinking you don’t actually need to be a football fan to enjoy this book. It’s really about getting all those wiggles out before it’s time to read and turn off the light.
This is a great book on many levels. Wonderful for football fans, family time, novel bedtime routines, and best of all snuggles for a “story-time-out.” Bethany definitely scored with this one.
Oh, I see what you did there, LOL. Yes, she did. And she’s especially proud of it because it’s her first fiction PB.
Using up all the excess energy before bed is great. I love the breakneck drama of everything going on, especially getting the dog involved.
Agreed! Our dog would feel left out unless she were involved in our ping pong games before we turn in for the evening.