Time for Bed, Fred!: 09/06/20

Time for Bed, Fred! by Yasmeen Ismail is a picture book about the futility of trying to put a dog to bed. Metaphorically it's about parents and children and the many stalling techniques used to stay up a little bit longer.

At it's most literal, this book is adorable. Dogs do fall into family routines and they can be put to bed, or rather, to their kennel or dog bed. A well raised dog is actually pretty easy to put to bed.

But it's the metaphorical side of this book that has readers divided across the chasm of an inverse bell curve of high and low ratings. Those who rate it low cite the importance of children being obedient to their parents and other adults.

I like this book primarily for the silly dog, preferring to take the book literally. For the metaphorical reading, I believe it's highly important for all people to have agency regardless of age and ability to communicate through "normal means." Even a newborn if you're attentive will make their needs known.

Fred taken as a child who doesn't talk (for whatever reason) still makes his desire to stay up later abundantly clear. In the long run does it matter if Fred goes to bed by a fixed schedule every night of his life? Probably not. The same goes for people.

Five stars

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