LITTLEST MANO At BEDTIME by Anita Dromey, Illustrated by Taranggana – Picture Books, Children’s Animal Stories, Children’s Bedtime Books

In Littlest Mano at Bedtime by Anita Dromey, illustrated by Taranggana, Mano wants to keep grazing and playing in the hills when his mamma calls him to come down to the shore.

The rest of the goats wait for Mano, who only comes when his mamma asks him to lead the group. But Mano trips in the evening darkness and loses his chance to lead the procession. Once he and all the other goats reach the ocean, he promises not to make them wait so long next time.

Littlest Mano at Bedtime is a great evening book for children learning to read.

Dromey writes in a consistent rhyming scheme, making the rhythm easy to grasp and read along with.

This story teaches the importance of listening and cooperating with others, and does so with a soft hand fitting for very young readers.

Mano’s mother speaks gently even as he insists on staying in the hills. She comforts him when he trips and keeps the other young goats from giving him too hard a time. Mano learns to temper his love for playing in the hills with the practical wisdom of his mom, who encourages him to try leading the herd again in the future.

Lintang Pandu, through her art studio Taranggana, colors vibrant and soothing landscapes through which the goats walk.

Her softly-shaded colors match the comforting tone of the story perfectly. Backgrounds start with the warm pastel tones of sunset highlighting Mano’s favorite verdant hills. As evening falls, the illustrations incorporate cool colors that fill the sea and night sky.

Along with its effectiveness as a bedtime book, Littlest Mano at Bedtime introduces young readers to a herd of uniquely-colored goats, giving children plenty to hold their attention.

With its nursery-rhyme writing and adorable goat characters, Littlest Mano at Bedtime will help children practice their reading skills and, like Mano, wind down for sleep.