Alice and Jack hear a funny sound as they are playing and follow it into the forest. Jack is worried it might be a Wicked Wolf, with big bad claws. But Alice assures him that ‘everything is going to be all right.’
As they head deeper into the forest, Jack becomes more and more worried. He wants to go home and be snuggled up in his pyjamas. But Alice, older and wiser, keeps assuring him that ‘everything is going to be all right.’
The noise gets closer. What could it be? When it is right upon them, suddenly Alice doesn’t feel so brave anymore. But what about little Jack? Is he brave enough to find out what’s making the noise?
This is a delightful read aloud story that will carry kids on a journey as they delve deeper into the forest, keeping their fears in check as they search for the source of the sound.
The classic Helen Oxenbury illustrations are soft and enchanting and the children are expressive and relatable. The images get darker and denser as the children find themselves deeper in the forest but the overall soft pastel colour palette and the children's light clothes and blonde hair prevent the images from getting too intimidating.
This is a lovely sibling story with imagination and adventure and a sense of accomplishment at facing fear. It has a good pacing and rhythm to it and despite the storyline seeming a little sinister, it is actually a gentle story with a comforting ending. A perfect book for bedtime reading.
Title: Time Now to Dream
Author: Timothy Knapman
Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker, $16.99
Publication Date: 1 September 2018
Format: Soft Cover
ISBN: 9781406373370
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book
