Playtime? by Jeff Mack - OPTIONAL

Mack, Jeff.  Playtime?   PICTURE BOOK.  Philomel Books (Penguin), 2016.  $16.99.

There are only two words used in this whole story: bedtime and playtime.  In a reverse roles situation, a little boy is trying to put his gorilla to bed.  The little boy keeps insisting that it is bedtime and the gorilla insists that is playtime.  The little boy takes the toys and the gorilla still plays.  The gorilla hands the little boy a ball and they play together until the gorilla falls asleep (or maybe not, #wink). 

Any adult who has ever put a child to bed can relate to this story and probably every kid who hasn’t stayed in their bed.  The mixed media illustrations are fun and engaging.  Particularly the cheeky looks of the naughty gorilla who just won’t go to bed. 

Pre-K, EL-OPTIONAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.