Praise from Kirkus for Bedslime Blues
“A well-known nightly scenario plays out with an unusual cast.
Like this author/illustrator team’s Be My Valenslime (2023), this tale stars a crew of wacky but non-frightening monsters. Happily playing outdoors with some animal friends, they hear a call from a nearby cave: “BEDTIME!” But these little ones resort to some familiar delaying tactics (“You can’t find me!” “I’m thirsty!” “More snacks!”) as their parents attempt to shepherd them to bed. A horned creature named Iggy initially resists bathtime, but a bit of imaginative play makes his ablutions much more enticing. Fleck throws a tantrum when Daddy tells him he can only have two stories before bed, but Daddy gently cuddles his little one, and the “bedslime blues” quickly dissipate. At last, the night wraps up with prayers, hugs and kisses, and a yawn. Everyone, including the woodland creatures (among them, a unicorn and its child) sleeps tight. Despite the final assertion that “bedtime really is slime–tastic,” there’s not much slime to be found here, though one of the monsters drips a strange green substance. Occasional rhymes rock the rhythmic well-paced text. Doerrfeld’s distinctive, firmly outlined cartoon style gives her monstrous cast, whom fans will recognize from the first book, original attributes and vibrant moves.
Another warm hug from Tarantino and Doerrfeld.” (Picture book. 3-6) —Kirkus
School Library Journal’s 2025 Recommendations: 14 Books to Share the Love of Valentine’ Day
Click here!Bedslime for Monsters and Slime for School Announced!
Be My ValenSLIME is available online or in a story near you! Click here.
Starred Review for Be My Valenslime 
PreS-Gr 2 – Snoodle doesn’t fit in with the other monsters. That’s because Snoodle loves candy hearts, sparkly stickers, and valentines. The other monsters don’t do Valentine’s Day. Snoodle decides to convince her friends—“I’ll prove Valentine’s is the BEST!”—and that’s where the fun begins. Children will enjoy this silly story and love to look through the vibrant, detailed illustrations. Educators will find numerous connections to makerspaces and creating Valentine’s art. But this book’s biggest strength goes beyond its holiday tie-in and fun: There are powerful messages about the nature of love on almost every page. For example, when the monsters go wild during a craft lesson, Snoodle remembers that, “love is patient.” VERDICT: Highly recommended. An accomplishment, this book manages to be simultaneously important and fun.” —School Library Journal
Praise from Publishers Weekly
“[In] Tarantino’s chipper picture book . . . Doerrfeld’s gleefully frenetic depictions of party monsters and a slimy valentine creation get right to the heart of the matter, offering readers memorable images of love in action.” —Publishers Weekly
