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Go to Sleep Gecko!

A Balinese Folktale

Author:

Illustrator:

Margaret Read MacDonald

Geraldo Valério

Categories

Story origins: Indonesia

Languages: Indonesian

Story origins: Bali

Children's Books: Picture Books

Lesson Plans

Children's Books: Folktales on Social Issues

Peace Tales

Languages

Ecological Tales

Editions

Hardcover

2006

August House

32 pages

978-0-87483-780-3

Quotes

The pacing is perfectly matched to the richly colored acrylic illustrations. The night scenes are luminescent with glowing fireflies and a midnight blue, starry sky. This tale can be shared one-on-one but will shine as a read-aloud.

SLJ 10/1/06

Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, chose Go to Sleep Gecko as his read-aloud to celebrate Singapore's KidsREAD 10th Anniversary (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBQ2D4t0ANw)

YouTube

With its sprinkling of sound effects, unusual cast of characters, and gentle patterning, this is a comical yet thoughtful bedtime read.

The Bulleting of the Center for Children's Books, Decedmber 2006

MacDonald's energetic telling is prime story-hour material, illuminated by Valerio's dreamlike, humorous art.

Horn Book Guide, July-Dec 2006

Awards

Anne Izard Storyteller's Choice Award

2007

Children's Catalog 2007

Children's Core Collection, 2014, 21st ed.

KIND Children's Honor Book

2007

Flicker Tale Book Award

2008

Cooperative Children's Boook Center Choices

2007

New York Public Library 100 Best Children's Books

Finalist Foreward Magazine Book of the Year Children's Picture Book Category

2006

Book Sense Children's Picks

Mouse illustration by Julie Paschkis

© 2025 Margaret Read MacDonald

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