It’s July 1st which means TWO pieces of exciting news.
It’s time for another B-Side Story and . . .
it’s CANADA DAY!!!
For all my Canadian readers this story will truly feel like home.
You may recall my reading recommendation for the classic children’s book Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown, and the humorous reinvention Goodnight Goon, by Michael Rex.
Well, this is my own spin-off - Goodnight Loon - which will put your little ones to sleep saying goodnight to all things Canadian!
If you haven’t read the original, click the link below to enjoy the illustrations and audio narrated by Susan Sarandon - ooh, la la. How Hollywood . . .
Now that you’ve listened to the original story, it’s time to enjoy the B-Side twist, filled with maple syrup, hockey games, and of course, a Canadian loon.
Also, there is a FUN ACTIVITY included with this month’s tale .
Print off the illustration so your little ones can circle all the items listed in the story. Or keep it digital, and search the screen to find every animal, object, and person featured in Goodnight Loon.
Goodnight Loon
By caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to all my Canadian readers. Happiest Canada Day. May you enjoy a pile of pancakes, a day at the lake, and most definitely a good (Canadian) book . . .
Click below for the audio version. Unfortunately, Susan Sarandon was unavailable to narrate:
In the great, green forest
there was a Canadian loon.
And a large, glistening lake
lying under the moon.
A tree filled with sap,
it’s shiny leaves red.
And a family of squirrels being tucked into bed.
There was one snowshoe hare,
and a great big black bear.
And a well hidden lynx by a well fashioned chair.
Sat by the water a fine feathered goose.
And hid in the trees was a big, bearded moose.
There were two pairs of skates,
and one hockey puck.
A toonie, and loonie,
and a penny for luck.
Wood in a pile.
A fire’s flame flew.
With long pointed sticks stuck with marshmallow goo.
An old plate of pancakes on a cooler with ice.
The tastiest snack for a few tiny mice.
There were mittens to dry, and some warm fuzzy toques.
Some socks, and some scarves, and four pairs of boots.
A flashlight,
a tent,
and some crumbs from the s’mores.
A family asleep leaving long trails of snores.
ZZZZzzzz……
The air almost quiet.
The night in a rush.
So, the moon told the forest to settle and “hush.”
Goodnight moon.
Goodnight loon.
Goodnight squirrels - it’s morning time soon!
Goodnight maple sap, and trees.
Goodnight frosty, fallen leaves.
Goodnight bears, and hares, and chairs.
Goodnight all things everywhere.
Goodnight goose and bearded moose.
Goodnight mitts, and boots, and toques.
Goodnight skates and goodnight ice.
Goodnight pancakes.
Goodnight mice.
Goodnight fire, embers red.
Goodnight family, tucked in bed.
The whole green forest, tucked in tight -
Now, it’s time for YOU to say,
“Goodnight . . . ”
But, wait - before you go to sleep it’s time for the FUN part!
Try to find all the items from the story in the picture below.
Hopefully your eyes aren’t too tired yet . . .
The End . . .
Recommended Reading: For Canada Day I have to recommend a few fellow Canadian authors. As someone who participated in a Kickstarter campaign to fund my first book, I would like to give shout out to some indie authors with very adorable books available to purchase. Fox in a Box and Ed in the Shed are two adorable books by Manitoba duo Eva Klassen and Leanne Thiessen. And from British Columbia comes new author Jimmy Vu who wrote the awesome book What If You Found a Wormhole. I love that all these stories promote the protection of our planet, including those great, green forests. Check out these Canadian-made tales this July 1st!
And don’t forget, there is always MY BOOK you can add to your shelf - 100% made in Canada. Click the link below for a sneak peek inside and details on how to order:
Happy Reading . . .