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! 😊
Kris Tarantino is a children’s book author whose work is filled with humor, playfulness, and whimsy. Her debut picture book, Be My ValenSLIME (WaterBrook/Penguin Random House, 2023), illustrated by New York Times bestselling illustrator Cori Doerrfeld, received critical praise and a Starred Review from School Library Journal and praise from Publishers Weekly. More titles in the Slime series are forthcoming: BedSlime Blues (2/3/2026) and Slime for School (2028).
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Susanna, I LOVE this book. Kris & Cori did such an amazing job with monsters and their bedtime challenges. They are adorable, even when melting down.
I totally agree, Maria! Such a fun book!
I remember Valenslime. This one looks adorable too. I know a little monster who would enjoy it. Congratulations! 🩷
I know a couple little monsters who would enjoy it, too, Robin! And I think there’s a third one coming – relating to school!
This looks so cute. I need to get my hands on a copy and read it!
It’s very cute, Lisa! The text is fun and the illustrations are delightful!
This looks absolutely adorable (and relatable)! Kris is a master of “make every word count” and Cori’s monsters….🥰 Can’t wait to read it to my granddaughter!
I think your granddaughter is going to love it, Kim! It’s super cute!
You had me hooked with the names Zee-Zee and Snoodle. I’m giggling already. Congrats!
I know, right? Such cute names! And such cute monsters!
It was fun to brainstorm the monster’s names.
I just requested this at my library! My kids LOVE Valenslime and its sparkly cover, and oooof bedtime often turns into a two hour ordeal in our house 😆. Can’t wait to check this out.
I don’t know what you mean, Katelyn. Bedtime at our house was always a perfectly orchestrated calm and peaceful event without the slightest argument or hitch! 🤣
Katelyn, hope your kids love BedSlime Blues! It’s filled with monster-ific little antics and peaceful results.
ALWAYS a need for a new bedtime book! This one is great fun.
I know what you mean, Robin. There are so many great bedtime books, and I always look forward to new ones!
Such a fun sounding book. Who wouldn’t fall in love with all these little monsters?! Checking my library for this one ASAP!
If they don’t have it, ask for it, Marty! It’s so cute!
Thanks, Marty!
Hooray! Thank you.
Adorable! I bet it will be loads of reading fun!
It is, Angie! I hope you get to read it!
Me too!
The little monsters in this book remind me so much of the one that used to live in our house. Such a sweet and fun bedtime book! Congrats to Kris and Cori!
I know, right, Jilanne? I think a lot of us have fond memories of our own little monsters 🙂
Looking forward to finding this cute monster tale!
It’s a Kris and Cori classic, Jules 🙂
Got my hold placed!
Thanks, Susanna!
What a fun and cute book! The names crack me up. 🙂
I had fun brainstorming the title!
Glad you like the look of it, Christy! I hope you’ll get to read it!
As someone who has these little monsters in my home right now, this sounds very relatable. And I love love love the artwork! Can’t wait to check this out.
I think you and your little monsters will love it 🙂
Looks like a fun read! I will certainly check this out! 🙂