Italian / Italy
La nottataccia
(What a night!)
Zocca, Bruno
(text/illus.)
[Milano]: LupoGuido, [2025]. – [42] p.
ISBN 978-88-8581085-3
Bedtime | Night | Picture book | Daily routine | Sleep
Reading age: 3+
White Ravens issue: 2025
What can you do when you simply can’t fall asleep? Lucia thinks she must have forgotten something – perhaps that’s why it isn’t working. First, she goes through her usual bedtime routine once more: brushing her teeth, putting on her pyjamas, getting a goodnight kiss from Dad, turning off the light. Still, she just can’t fall asleep. She could ask her father for advice, but – unlike her – he is fast asleep. After trying to imitate the snoring dog, she decides to go for a little walk. Maybe that will help. All the animals in the forest – and even the moon – are already slumbering. Only one creature is still awake: the big brown bear. So, Lucia decides to read him a bedtime story. And then, suddenly, she remembers what she forgot – something that always helps her fall asleep. Bruno Zocca tells this simple story with comic-style illustrations in which young readers will recognise the steps of their own bedtime routine, while also spotting many little details that almost seem »to bring the pictures to life«. [AB]