Time for Bed, Fred! by Yasmeen Ismail

Just what happens when it's 'Time for Bed, Fred!' is the question you'll be itching to answer in Yasmeen Ismail's debut book for children. Filled to the brim with page after page of eye watering water colours, Fred comes to life as a naughty, funny and sometimes filthy little pup who just won't go to bed.

Fred gets into all kinds of trouble in an effort to avoid bed and dog lovers may find themselves nodding in agreement.  Interestingly, I found myself nodding along not because of dogs but because Fred's antics so closely resemble E when he's in a cheeky mood. On such nights E, like Fred, will try all manner of tactics to avoid bed: playing with trains, demanding a ridiculous number of books and finally jumping into my bed and hiding instead of snuggling down in his own room. Admittedly, I find Fred a lot funnier than E!

The illustrations are magnificent and the story is fun yet sparse.  The short narrative may appeal even more to the under 3's.  Yasmeen Ismail is a wonderful artist in her own right and there is lots more to see on her website and in this lovely short video showing her painting Fred.