Time Now To Dream | Timothy Knapman

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.

Time Now to Dream read along:

Reviews

One of our books of the year 2016
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk

An exquisite creation... a lovely, lilting read with just the right level of jeopardy and excitement... Helen Oxenbury is on fire... among her most beautiful work.
The Times Children's Book of the Week

Atmospheric, magical, this fairytale story will enchant readers.
Lovereading4kids

This is a lovely book that would be a great read with young children before bedtime.
Creative Kids Tales

Soft and lovely, depicting nature in its uncomplicated joy... This gentle, quiet read is an excellent addition to most picture book collections.
School Library Journal (USA)

The delicious escalation of suspense is replaced with a quiet sense of wonder, making this story a winner.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This is a stunning picture book with just the right amount of suspense - great to read aloud.
Story Mama

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... The combination of the two is picture book eloquence of the first order and a treat to share at bedtime or indeed, anytime.
Books For Keeps

This adventure story has a lovely twist which is guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face. It is a great book to read to young children
Creative Kids Tales (Australia)

Just the right combination of fairy tale and bedtime book, scary and soothing... Time now to savor this lovely offering.
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Helen Oxenbury’s beautiful pencil-and-watercolor illustrations follow two children braving a dark forest to find the source of an enigmatic song in ‘Time Now to Dream’, a picture book by Timothy Knapman…For children ages 3-7 this is that loveliest sort of bedtime adventure, one that alternates between vicarious fear and loving reassurance and that builds to a surprising revelation.
The Wall Street Journal

This flight of fancy, which ends with the children in bed, is wound with both adventure and safety as well as heaps of sweetness.
Booklist Online

Author and illustrator gently turn folktale conventions on their heads for this don’t-be-afraid bedtime story...the eventual appearance of the wolf—and her pups!—is sweet indeed.
The Horn Book