Mama-Come-Lately

A fever dream of a book, and a soothing classic.

It’s a classic, without a doubt, and I love it. But Goodnight Moon has some seriously weird stuff in it.

– There’s a tiger-skin rug in the bunny’s bedroom. What, did they inherit it from Great Uncle George Bunny, the famous adventurer?

– What are they thinking, raising cats? It’s only a matter of time before those adorable fluffballs become vicious bunny-eaters. Although they appear to be pygmy cats — compared to the old lady bunny, they’re bitty little things. Maybe that’s why they’re not worried? Regardless, they’re totally slacking, letting that mouse roam free. At one point it’s eating the baby bunny’s mush, and those cats are busy staring down the old lady bunny. They’re all like, “Thanks for warming up our seat, lady! Now skedaddle so we can hop up there and plot our takeover!”

– How can the old lady bunny knit without thumbs?

– Why would rabbits need mittens? Or socks? Or a comb? A brush, sure — I can get behind that, but a comb? Come on.

– The socks disappear every time there’s a close-up of the mittens. Who’s taking them away and putting them back?

– Goodnight nobody? Isn’t that a little high-concept for toddlers?

– The book on the baby bunny’s nightstand is Goodnight Moon. How can he be in the book, and have the book? Is it like that scene in Chinatown, maybe? He’s in the book. He has the book. He’s a character. He’s a consumer. He’s a character AND a consumer!

– That’s a mighty big bed for just one little bunny.

– Why is the old lady bunny whispering “hush” even though the baby bunny is completely silent? Seems unnecessary — unless he’s the one saying goodnight to everything. But even so, she commences hushing before the goodnights start.

– Everything after “And goodnight to the old lady whispering hush.” is overkill.

In short, with all due respect, I suspect Margaret Wise Brown was smoking opium when she wrote this, and then gave some to Clement Hurd (the illustrator). But I really do love it. Ooh, maybe that’s why I love it!