Bed, Bed, Bed

by John Flansburgh

Overview

Four stories to read in the book!
Four new songs to sing on the CD inside the book!
You can enjoy Bed, Bed, Bed anytime and anywhere but it is especially good for bedtime, especially good to read out loud, and it's especially good to share.

Four stories to read in the book!
Four new songs to sing on the CD inside the book!
You can enjoy Bed, Bed, Bed anytime and anywhere but it is especially good for bedtime, especially good to read out loud, and it's especially good to share.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780743250245
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	11/03/2003
Series:	They Might Be Giants
Edition description:	with audio CD
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	1 - 4 Years

About the Author

John Flansburgh and John Linnell released their first album as THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS in 1986. Over the next sixteen years, the band has produced eight more albums, perhaps finding their most commercial success with Flood in 1990. TMBG has been credited with influencing such bands as The Barenaked Ladies, Weezer and Harvey Danger. Their most recent album, entitled NO!, intended for a young audience, reached the number one spot on the Billboard Kid's Chart. In addition to recording albums, the duo has written music for many commercials and television shows. As the writers for the theme song to Malcolm in the Middle, they received a Grammy award in 2002.

Editorial Reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review
They Might Be Giants venture into the land of books, and the result is one big success. Following the release of No!, their first CD for kids, Giants John Flansburgh and John Linnell found a new audience among their steadfast followers of alt-rock mommies and daddies, and this charming picture book is another extension of their creativity.The illustrated collection of four original songs includes a CD for easy listening and features the illustrations of artist Marcel Dzama. Dzama's images encapsulate the general whimsy of the book in soft hues of red and brown that hark back to the days of the 1950s. Clean white backdrops provide the space for the characters -- two young children, a tuxedo-clad rabbit and a tangerine octopus, to name a few -- to become the stars.

The first song/chapter questions the concept of "Impossible," with imagination taking the front seat. Want to be an "octofish"? "Though it happens quite impossibly, the impossible turns out to be possibly." While a silly song at first glance, this is a fine example of showing youngsters it's okay to dream big. After all, these are the Giants we are talking about. "Happy Doesn't Have to Have an Ending" stars a longhaired hippie kitten, a love-crazed bundle of fur who believes in good times and dancing all night. These first two songs are a bit lively to be deemed "bedtime" music, but they do inspire smiles and silliness, which is always good fodder for sweet dreams. By contrast, "Idlewild" is a wistful song, with lyrics and illustrations that paint a lovely picture of a day at the carnival. But the big hit here is "Bed, Bed, Bed," an inspired lullaby that follows all the big events of one child's day, from reading to brushing teeth to practicing the guitar. But now, she croons, "I've had my fun, I've stretched and yawned and all is said and done, I'm going to Bed. Bed. Bed. Bed. Bed." A different version of this song appears on the CD -- in lieu of the slow pace and soothing female voice featured here is a more chaotic appeal to the ending of the day with rockin' riffs, funky jazz licks, and mooing cows. We prefer the more tranquil version to lull little ones into slumber, but one thing is clear: They Might Be Giants have surpassed the realm of indie music gods and triumphed in the kids' world with a guitar in their arms, love in their heart, and an octofish by their side. Amy Barkat

bn.com

The Grammy-winning alternative rock/pop duo of John Linnell and John Flansburgh, better known as They Might Be Giants, released its first children's music album last year, and now continues to stretch its wings with this picture-book adaptation of four of its songs. The text/lyrics fittingly dance across the pages, divided into four vignettes. With their dreamy quality, "Impossible" ("Though it happens quite impossibly,/ the impossible turns out to be/ possibly") and "Idlewild" may prime bedtime imaginations. Though it works well with the musical accompaniment, the catchy number "Happy Doesn't Have to Have an Ending," about a "long-haired hippie kitten" that cuts a rug, is less successful as a stand-alone verse than its three companion songs. And the title track/story makes a fine tucking-in tune-cum-read-aloud. Throughout, the diminutive book features spare and delicate ink-and-watercolor paintings with a limited palette of moss green, brown, red and gray. And youngsters will likely take a shine to the boy, girl and various fantastic and humorous creatures that cavort from scene to scene. Paired with an equally small and delicate typeface, these compositions suggest a child's book of yesteryear. All ages. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly