Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Mustachioed Baby Billy and bearded Baby Javier team up against a common enemy--bedtime. Their seven o'clock bedtime disrupts their riding, jousting, and giant-slaying, and so they vow "to conquer bedtime once and for all." While attending a story time at the local library, Billy, Javier, and a few of their friends plot their rebellion. However, the librarian's book puts everyone except for Billy into a deep sleep. Upon returning home, a dejected but motivated Billy again fights bedtime. After his fourth attempt, he is captured by his mother and father, who read him the same book from the library. Billy's eyes grow heavy, he falls into a dream adventure, and there meets up with Javier, where they continue their knightly exploits until morning. Heos uses traditional fairy-tale language to achieve a tongue-in-cheek tone that will delight children and parents alike: "From their towers, Billy and Javier could hear the laughter of their brothers and sisters below. This injustice would not stand!" Ang's adorable artwork has white Billy, with ginger hair, and tan-skinned Javier, with a black "beard," sword-fighting with pool noodles, riding hobby horses in full costume, and performing death-defying jumps into blue blanket moats. VERDICT This humorous book will hold children's attention and is sure to elicit a few giggles, in a solid argument for the power of stories.--Shannon O'Connor, Unami M.S., Chalfont, PA
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