Review — Go to Sleep, Gecko!

By Martha Shogren
BayViews — 10/1/2006

Gecko races to Elephant to complain about not being able to sleep because the fireflies’ light keeps him awake. Elephant promises to investigate. True to this tale motif, each animal questioned has a valid reason for its action: fireflies light the way so no one will step in buffalo poop; buffalo is filling potholes caused by rain; rain makes puddles for mosquitoes that Gecko eats. Gecko considers the logic of this progression and at last goes to sleep. Moral: some things you just have to put up with. A very stylized yellowish gecko wanders though a dark blue but starry night to visit Elephant amid shadowy huts and trees. The shadows are also filled with various animals reacting to the story. Bold pictures and large type make this a great storytime candidate. Lots of possibilities for audience participation, a MacDonald trademark.

Ratings:

OUTSTANDING: Outstanding in its presentation of the genre, including style, consistency, design, accuracy, and consideration of audience. Books receiving this rating will be considered for the annual Distinguished Book List.

ADDITIONAL: Competent, but may be excelled in its field by other books. A useful addition to most library collections. Reviewers who wish to distinguish books at the high or low range of the broad ADDITIONAL category may use the terms HIGH ADDITIONAL or LOW ADDITIONAL to do so.

UNSATISFACTORY: Contains so many weaknesses in style, content, and/or book design that it is not recommended for general library purchase.

Title Details: Go to Sleep, Gecko!
Author: Margaret Read MacDonald
Author:
Illustrator: Geraldo Valério
Interest Level: GR PreK-2

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