THE LITTLE GIRL WHO STAYED UP LATE

While her grandfather sleeps, a little girl finds her house is overtaken by chaotic animals in this picture book.

Grandad falls asleep one night while telling his granddaughter Lily a bedtime story. Wakeful, Lily heads downstairs for some milk when she hears unusual noises. In the kitchen, an elephant is cleaning up a big mess, and the intruder is far from the only one. The house is filled with animals, including monkeys, a giraffe, a beaver, and a bear. Most are wearing garish outfits, and all (except for the elephant and a helpful hippopotamus) are spilling food, chewing the carpet, and otherwise wreaking havoc. In the morning, Grandad tells Lily it was just a dream, since the house is tidy—but a drip of mustard from the ceiling confirms her story. Turner’s boisterous tale will appeal to kids’ love of rule-breaking, disorder, and noise, and the animals’ clothing, reminiscent of circus clown outfits, adds to the silliness. The illustrations by Gooliaff are appropriately kinetic and goofy. Despite the goodnight scenario that begins the book, it may be too energetic for bedtime reading. One small caveat: Why would Lily’s mother but not her father worry about cleaning up?

An animal tale that delivers anarchic fun.