Goodnight Garden

Logline: In a Michigan garden at twilight, a curious child discovers how animals, plants, and even the moon prepare for sleep, learning that bedtime isn’t an ending, but a gentle beginning.

Synopsis:

Goodnight Garden is a lyrical picture book bedtime story. The story gently transforms bedtime resistance into a moment of wonder, connection, and calm.

At the end of a long day, a little girl resists going to bed. Running to the window instead, she looks out into the garden as daylight fades into night. Together, they watch the natural world transform as sunflowers droop, fish swim into deeper water, a sandhill crane tucks in to sleep, and fireflies flicker to life. As darkness approaches, the garden reveals its quiet nighttime rhythms, inviting stillness and peace.

The child’s curiosity turns into wonder as she imagines each creature settling down for the night. On her way to bed, she softly whispers her own goodnight wishes to the moon to sail on, the willow to rest, the frog to hush, and the animals to sleep safely until morning. These whispered farewells show the transition from curiosity to restfulness.

Goodnight Garden is intended as a read-aloud picture book that depicts the beauty of the natural world while gently lulling young children to sleep. The illustrations will have an old-world style, inviting children to identify the various creatures described in the text. The final page will feature a full spread, showing all the creatures settled in for the night, and invite young readers to spot the different creatures depicted in the preceding verses.

Michigan serves as the natural habitat for all the creatures mentioned in the book. The author plans to include a glossary for some of the more sophisticated words, such as "sonorous." Additionally, spot illustrations of each creature will be included in the back matter, along with facts about their appearance, habitat, and nighttime behaviors.

Goodnight Garden

“Goodnight, little one! You're bathed and fed. The day is done; it’s time for bed!

“No bed! Not yet!” She shook her head. Off to the window, she fled instead.

The setting sun, a ripe orange, sank low, painting the horizon in a faint, fiery glow,

Pale light drifted over the glade, where drooping sunflowers drowsed in the shade.

At water’s edge, greying dusk softly crept. On the grassy bank, the mighty willow quietly wept.

It was hard to see, now that the day had passed; she imagined the magic that darkness had cast.

Schools of tiny fishes, with a wistful pout, turned to the depths, tails swishing about.

The sandhill crane signaled sonorous slumber, standing one-footed, his head tucked under.

A little brown turtle peeped from its shell, as velvety blackness cast a mystical spell.

Curled up with his mama on the dewy green lawn was a tiny, newborn, spotted brown fawn.

Fingers of darkness snuck stealthily around, with chattering critter calls, the silence is drowned.

Ear to the window, she heard the emerald frog croaking loudly on his floating old log.

Up the treetops, squirrels skittered and scurried, hoarding nuts in a twilight flurry.

The hooting white owl, eyes round and wise, sought the garden snake as a slithering prize.

Crickets rubbed wings as they marched along, chirping a melodious bedtime song.

Robin Redbreast cheeped pure and sweet, soothing soft fledglings with a lullaby tweet.

She and Mama stood hand in hand, as they gazed in wonder at the mystical land.

The moon sailed in, graceful and slow, cloaking the garden in a silvery glow.

Twinkling stars sprinkled the skies. The grass flickered with fluttering fireflies.

Dusk turned twilight in chill descent. Late-blooming flowers perked up with scent.

The garden was calm and bright in starlight, as all the critters turned in for the night.

The air was still without a breeze to disturb the droning buzz of honeybees.

“Goodnight, little one, come now with me. The world is in bed, and so should you be.”

Dragging her feet as she headed to bed, A whispered message to the world, she said,

“Sail on, silver moon, shining your light on starry skies and fireflies bright.

Drowse sunflowers, don’t droop and slack, the big orange sun will soon be back.

Rest up, little crickets, hopping along. Finish your soothing bedtime song.

Cheer up, mighty willow, cease your weeping. Dawn will soon come softly creeping.

Pause your loud croaking, emerald frog. Drift quietly on your slimy old log.

Stand still, sandhill crane, head tucked under. Enjoy your well-earned sonorous slumber.

Still now, little fish, in water so deep. Don’t swish and pout; it’s time to sleep.

Slow down, squirrels that hurry and scurry. Tomorrow brings time for more nut-hoarding flurry.

Lullaby, red robin, your fledglings all rest. Settle down and root in your snug, warm nest.

Relax, hooting owl, with eyes on the ground. Nothing is creeping; no snakes to be found.

Sleep tight, brown turtle in your cozy shell. All is quiet as night casts its spell.

Hush, baby fawn, asleep on the lawn, safely curled up until morn becomes dawn.”

With a kiss and a hug, tucking her in bed, a smile on her face, Mama said.

“Goodnight, little one! The day is done. You will awaken to the morning sun.

Sleep well! Sweet dreams! Time to rest! The garden awaits at its brilliant best!