One sentence summary
Goodnight Moon is a gentle and comforting bedtime story by Margaret Wise Brown that examines the simple moments and familiar objects of a young rabbit’s bedroom in the twilight.
Book genre
Goodnight Moon is a picture book, nursery rhyme, and lullaby.
Main topic of the book
The main topic of the book is the comfort that the narrator of the story experiences from the simple objects that make up their bedroom at bedtime.
Key ideas
- Rituals: The book is a ritual of naming and counting the objects in the room as the rabbit says goodnight to each one.
- Retrospection: A sense of sentimentality and nostalgia for childhood memories of similar bedtimes is suggested as the rabbit says goodnight.
- Comfort: As the narrator goes through their nightly routine and ritual, they experience a sense of comfort and safety.
- Lullaby: The playful and rhythmic repetition of simple words creates a reassuring and comforting lullaby before the narrator falls asleep.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
The story follows the unnamed rabbit character as they settle into their room for bedtime, saying goodnight to each of the objects they come across. The objects they come across include the small toy mouse, the cow in the picture, three little bears sitting on chairs, two kittens and a pair of mittens, a bowl of mush, a little toy house, a comb and a brush, a bowl full of oatmeal, and a quiet old lady whispering hush. As they go around their room, they bid farewell to each object, reassuring them before they drift off to sleep in the end.
Key takeaways
- Goodnight Moon is a comforting and calming bedtime story that captures the beauty found in simple moments.
- The ritual of saying goodnight to the objects in the rabbit’s room provides a sense of familiarity and security.
- The playful and repetitive words of the book creates a gentle and calming lullaby before the narrator falls asleep.
Author’s background and qualifications
Margaret Wise Brown was a popular children’s author during the 1940s and 50s, though she did not write exclusively for children. She wrote over 80 books in her short lifetime and is well remembered for her simplistic and comforting bedtime stories, such as Goodnight Moon.
Target audience
Goodnight Moon is a book primarily aimed at young children, from ages three to seven.
Publisher and first publication date
Goodnight Moon was first published in 1947 by Harper & Brothers, though it has since been republished by HarperCollins in 2000.