It’s another beautiful Perfect Picture Book Friday!

Don’t worry! I haven’t forgotten about posting the Valentiny Finalists! I’m hoping for tomorrow – Sunday at the latest – because we’ve got to get that wrapped up! But you guys have made it EXTREMELY difficult to narrow the field to 14 finalists! The other judges and I are all bald from tearing our hair out, haggard from lack of sleep, and emotionally wrung out from having to make such hard choices. It is only our will power and commitment to the contest that have kept us from sneaking off to Hawaii in clever disguises to lie in the sun and sip fruity drinks and eat bonbons! 😊

While you’re waiting, look at this delightful book I have to share with you! Written by Kris Tarantino of Valenslime fame (Kris was our Tuesday Debut-ess in January of 2024!), you’re going to love this one just as much! (And you can read about Kris’s journey to publication with Valenslime HERE!) (And, coincidentally, she is also a prize for the Valentiny Contest!)

Title: Bedslime Blues

Written By: Kris Tarantino

Illustrated By: Cori Doerrfeld

Publisher: Waterbrook Children’s, February 3, 2026, fiction

Suitable For Ages: 3-7

Themes/Topics: bedtime, humor,

text copyright Kris Tarantino 2026, illustration copyright Cori Doerrfeld 2026, Waterbrook Children’s

Opening:

“MEET THE MONSTERS!

A tad gruffy. A bit grumpy.

And definitely not ready for. . .

BEDTIME!“

Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “It’s time for bed… except monsters DON’T DO bedtime! Iggy doesn’t want to take a bath. Zee-Zee’s jammies are icky. Fleck whines and stomps when it’s story time. The bedslime blues are impossible to escape—even for the usually cheerful and enthusiastic Snoodle! With all their stomping and clomping, how on earth will these gruffy, grumpy monsters lie down for a peaceful night of ZZZ’s?”

text copyright Kris Tarantino 2026, illustration copyright Cori Doerrfeld 2026, Waterbrook Children’s

Links To Resources: Downloadable Activity Kit from author Kris Tarantino’s website!

text copyright Kris Tarantino 2026, illustration copyright Cori Doerrfeld 2026, Waterbrook Children’s

Why I Like This Book: If you’ve read any of my books (Alphabedtime, When You’re Monkeys Won’t Go To Bed, Can’t Sleep Without Sheep 😊) you know I’m a huge fan of fun bedtime books where no one wants to go to bed! So this one is right up my alley! All the little monsters are having a good time, and none of them think bedtime is a good idea. As a result, there is a certain amount of clomping and stomping and whining. But for every complaint, from Iggy not wanting to take a bath to Snoodle’s lost stuffy, there is a fun solution, and before long, everyone is tucked in snug. Kris’s story will engage young readers, and Cori’s playful art will delight them further, until your little monsters are just as cozy and sleepy as Snoodle and her siblings. A wonderful bedtime book for every shelf!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊