Night Wishes
How would a clock, nightlight, or teddy bear say good night? In this enchanting poetry collection, Lee Bennett Hopkins and thirteen other poets imagine the wishes whispering through a young girl’s bedroom as she falls asleep. The bookshelf’s stories curl through her head; the pillow transforms into a hot air balloon; the rocking horse waits expectantly for tomorrow’s adventures. Stunning gouache illustrations by Jen Corace offer new details to discover with every reading.
Perfect for bedtime reading and re-reading, Night Wishes will transport young readers into a wonderful, whimsical world of dreams.
Includes poems by…
- Rebecca Kai Dotlich
- Matt Forrest Esenwine
- Jude Mandell
- Prince Redcloud
- Alice Schertle
- Joyce Sidman
- Eileen Spinelli
- Irene Latham
- Lee Bennett Hopkins
- Nikki Grimes
- Deborah Ruddell
- Darren Sardelli
- Renee LaTulippe
Poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Illustrated by Jen Corace
Contents
Bed · Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Pillow · Matt Forrest Esenwine
Blanket · Jude Mandell
Cat · Eileen Spinelli
Dog · Irene Latham
Clock · Prince Redcloud
Rocking Horse · Alice Schertle
Book · Joyce Sidman
Teddy Bear · Lee Bennett Hopkins
Angel · Nikki Grimes
Stars · Deborah Ruddell
Moon · Darren Sardelli
Night-light · Renée M. LaTulippe
Bed Again · Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Bed
Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Climb in, child.
Climb in.
Cuddle into thoughts
of things you did today.
You ran, splashed, slid,
skipped, roamed, raced.
You pedaled, waded, wandered.
Now —
pull your blankets close
up tight
as I warm your sleep
throughout the night.
Climb in, child.
Climb in.
Pillow
Matt Forrest Esenwine
What dreams might wait for us tonight?
What might you do?
What might you see?
Will open skies draw you to flight?
Who might you meet—or be?
Perhaps you’ll dig through ancient sands,
discover dynasties of old,
or travel interstellar lands
for treasures yet untold.
Eyes closed, set sail!
Until the morn,
imagination’s winds will blow.
Your mind is where adventure’s born,
so come, my child . . .
. . . let’s go!
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Lee Bennett Hopkins (1938–2019) was an acclaimed children’s poet and anthologist. His books include I Remember (Lee & Low), America at War (Simon & Schuster), Manger (Eerdmans), and Mary’s Song (Eerdmans).
He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 2013. Lee also founded the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the Lee Bennett Hopkins/International Reading Association Promising Poetry Award to recognize excellent writing for children. In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the world’s most prolific anthologist of poetry for children-with over 100 titles to his name. Lee lived in Cape Coral, Florida until his death in 2019. Visit his website at leebennetthopkins.c om.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Jen Corace is the illustrator of Small World (Abrams), Brave Jane Austen (Henry Holt), Little Pea (Chronicle), and many other books for young readers. Her work has also appeared in numerous galleries and magazines. She has a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Jen lives and works in Providence, Rhode Island. Visit her website at jencorace.com or follow her on Instagram at @corachacha.
