Good Night (Not Really): Let’s Count Forward and Backward

By Nan Evenson, Illustrated by Karina Matkevych

Children’s picture book, 42 pp.

c. September  2021

Bumblebee Books

Reviewed by Christy Wopat

A “good night” book that actually isn’t, this picture book was a delight to read. Full-spread, brightly colored illustrations along with a surprise twist at the end, this book will charm you.

Lisa and Charlie are counting to ten to try to calm down for bedtime. However, each time they get to the next number, the things they are counting get sillier and wackier (It’s like having 4 little fairies fluttering around in the bathroom all trying to brush their teeth at once.). There is an opportunity at each number to act something out or learn a new word.

Then comes the surprise: once Lisa and Charlie reach ten, they find out that now they actually get to count backwards!

As an elementary school educator, I love a picture book that encourages counting backwards--what a tremendous skill that is. With charming illustrations and words that are sure to dazzle, this is a must-have for any primary classroom as well as a wonderful gift for anyone with young children or grandchildren.

Reviewer Christy Wopat Christy Wopat is the author of the award-winning memoir, Almost a Mother: Love, Loss, and Finding Your People When Your Baby Dies, as well as a picture book titled Always Ours, released in May of 2020. Her personal essays have been featured in Still Standing Magazine, The Educator’s Room, and MadCityMom, among others. She’s a 4th-grade teacher and the events coordinator for the Wisconsin Writers Association. She lives with her husband and children in Holmen, Wisconsin. Find her on Facebook at Um, You Guys? where she’ll make you both laugh and cry.