It Simply Can't Be Bedtime

Illustrated by Steven Salerno
$10.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
On sale May 20, 2025 | 9780593532171
Age 4-8 years
Sales rights: World

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Bedtime routines get a jolt of silliness and creativity when a dad and daughter face off in this timeless scenario.

When dad says it’s bedtime and his daughter strongly disagrees, her stuffy hilariously comes to her defense.

Lady Pigsworth is quick to point out the many ongoing projects that just can’t be abandoned, the danger of sleeping in a butterfly costume, the alarming spinach stuck in the girl's teeth, and more. Each over-the-top declaration of why it can’t possibly be bedtime yet leads the group through common bedtime routines in animated and heartwarming scenes—until Lady Pigsworth’s demands reach questionable heights, even to the little girl, so she takes matters into her own hands to get both of them into bed.

Dreamy illustrations and the hilarious Lady Pigsworth make for a perfect read-aloud that will leave any kid content to shut their eyes, at least for a little bit.
“Pretend play collides with domestic demands . . . In this extended bedtime romp, digital drawings by Salerno, rendered in deep shades of pink, purple, and blue, tell the story in bold strokes, while dialogue by Paul crackles with British turns of phrase . . . Budding Anglophiles should be rather keen.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“An amusing addition to the bedtime story stack . . . Told with humor and sweetness . . . the father and daughter model a strong, loving relationship as he joins her play wholeheartedly, giving her agency while also steadily guiding her toward bed . . . A fun read-aloud.” —Kirkus Reviews

About

Bedtime routines get a jolt of silliness and creativity when a dad and daughter face off in this timeless scenario.

When dad says it’s bedtime and his daughter strongly disagrees, her stuffy hilariously comes to her defense.

Lady Pigsworth is quick to point out the many ongoing projects that just can’t be abandoned, the danger of sleeping in a butterfly costume, the alarming spinach stuck in the girl's teeth, and more. Each over-the-top declaration of why it can’t possibly be bedtime yet leads the group through common bedtime routines in animated and heartwarming scenes—until Lady Pigsworth’s demands reach questionable heights, even to the little girl, so she takes matters into her own hands to get both of them into bed.

Dreamy illustrations and the hilarious Lady Pigsworth make for a perfect read-aloud that will leave any kid content to shut their eyes, at least for a little bit.

Praise

“Pretend play collides with domestic demands . . . In this extended bedtime romp, digital drawings by Salerno, rendered in deep shades of pink, purple, and blue, tell the story in bold strokes, while dialogue by Paul crackles with British turns of phrase . . . Budding Anglophiles should be rather keen.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“An amusing addition to the bedtime story stack . . . Told with humor and sweetness . . . the father and daughter model a strong, loving relationship as he joins her play wholeheartedly, giving her agency while also steadily guiding her toward bed . . . A fun read-aloud.” —Kirkus Reviews