Time Now to Dream
Age 3+
Picture Storybooks
"What’s that noise?” said Jack. “It’s coming from the forest,” said Alice. “Let’s go and see!”
From Helen Oxenbury, the illustrator of We're Going on a Bear Hunt, and Timothy Knapman, the author of Soon, comes the story of a brother and sister, and their adventure in the woods. When Alice and Jack are out playing, they hear a strange noise. Alice wants to know what it is, but Jack is afraid. He thinks it might be the Wicked Wolf with big, bad claws and snap-trap jaws. But Alice takes his hand and they follow the noise, right into the heart of the forest… Just what will they discover there?
Timothy Knapman's powerful, atmospheric narration alongside Helen Oxenbury’s spectacular illustrations skilfully convey Jack’s growing fear and Alice’s curious excitement, all the while building toward the reveal of that mysterious sound…
Creators
Timothy Knapman is a children’s writer, lyricist and playwright. His children’s books have been translated into twelve languages and include Soon, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Dinosaurs Don't Have Bedtimes, illustrated by Nikki Dyson, and the bestselling Mungo and the Picture Book Pirate series. His titles have often been featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. He lives in Weybridge, Surrey. Find him online at www.timothyknapman.co.uk and on Twitter as @TimothyKnapman.
Helen Oxenbury is among the most popular and critically-acclaimed illustrators of all time. Her many award-winning books for children include We’re Going On a Bear Hunt, written by Michael Rosen, Farmer Duck, written by Martin Waddell and There’s Going to Be a Baby, written by John Burningham; as well as her classic board books for babies. Helen has won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal twice – in 1969, for The Quangle Wangle’s Hat and The Dragon of an Ordinary Family and in 1999, for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. She lives in London. Find her on Twitter as @HelenOxenbury.
Reviews
“The illustrations by Helen Oxenbury are beautiful. Reminiscent of an old-style water colour book in soft pastels – perfect for bed time, really. The children are classically drawn – it reminded me a little of original Winnie the Pooh drawings. Very beautiful, wholesome feeling, if you can call pictures wholesome! Time Now to Dream is a beautiful book and it definitely gets a huge thumbs up from me!”
Diaryofafirstchild.com
“Every word of Knapman’s text is carefully weighed and his pacing of the tale brilliantly controlled. As ever Helen Oxenbury’s watercolour illustrations are sheer delight. She takes readers right back to the seemingly timeless days of childhood evoking a bygone era when it felt safe to allow children to roam freely with nothing but their sense of adventure and their imaginations to accompany them. The combination of the two is picturebook eloquence of the first order and a treat to share at bedtime or indeed, any time.”
Books for Keeps
“A sweet bedtime read.”
Baby London
“Helen Oxenbury’s illustrations never fail to enchant and Time Now to Dream is no different. […] Some picture books evoke emotions from childhood and Time Now to Dream does just that. […] an excellent book to read out loud. For the illustrations alone this is a book everyone should read, I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
The School Librarian
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.
Kids' Book Review
