School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-A boy loves all the nightly rituals of bedtime, but mostly he loves, after the last good night, sharing the story of the day with his stuffed animal friends Greedy Goose, Blue Horse, and Fat Rabbit. Though readers ultimately learn that these four friends spent the day together, each has a version of ".the what, the who, the why, and the way.the whole wild thing.turned out okay." While the rhythmic and snappy text sets up the action, it's really the art that tells the story. Rich spreads done in acrylics stay grounded in the present, but readers piece the story of the day together through the pictures. Each animal's perspective provides more clues until the boy's own version brings it all together. This warm, bedtime read celebrates the comforts of sharing a story together and a day well spent.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
"There once was a boy who loved bedtime," writes Fox (Two Little Monkeys), and within a few pages, it's clear why: when Mommy gives "the last good night" and departs, the boy gets to snuggle up with his beloved toys to discuss their respective days. Or, as Fox puts it, "the who, the what, the why, and the way... the whole wild thing... turned out okay." Thus, with Stringer (The Princess and Her Panther) providing all the details in velvety, saturated acrylics, readers learn that Blue Horse and Greedy Goose (the who), ended up enjoying tea and cookies (the what), after a scary thunderstorm (the why) prompted Goose to throw a blanket over the checkerboard rocking horse to create a tent that made them feel snug and safe. The boy, of course, is the engine driving each toy's adventure, as Fox and Stringer reveal in the final pages. But as much as this book is about being the center of the universe, it's also about letting others hold the stage. A good friend, the final contented huddle tells readers, is also a good listener. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.