Summary
Goodnight Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, is a beloved children's picture book that has captivated generations since its publication in 1947. This classic bedtime story, with its gentle rhymes and soothing imagery, has sold over 48 million copies worldwide and has been translated into numerous languages.
The book's enduring popularity can be attributed to its simple yet effective approach to lulling children to sleep. Through a series of goodnights to various objects in a “great green room,” the story creates a calming ritual that resonates with both children and parents. Despite its initial poor sales and rejection by some librarians, Goodnight Moon eventually became a bestseller during the post-World War II baby boom.
In 1999, HBO Family adapted Goodnight Moon into a 26-minute animated special, narrated by Susan Sarandon. This adaptation, which also included other bedtime stories and lullabies, introduced the classic tale to a new generation of children. The book's influence extends beyond literature, inspiring musical compositions, art exhibits, and even interactive apps, cementing its place in popular culture.
Plot
In Margaret Wise Brown's classic children's book Goodnight Moon, a young bunny prepares for bedtime in a cozy green room. As evening falls, the bunny begins saying goodnight to various objects and creatures around the room.
The story unfolds through simple, rhyming text as the bunny bids goodnight to items like a red balloon, a pair of mittens, and some kittens. The narrative also acknowledges larger elements of the room, such as the lights, the clocks, and even the air.
As the bunny continues this bedtime ritual, readers notice other details in the illustrations, like a bowl of mush on a table and a quiet old lady whispering “hush.” The story progresses from 7:00 PM to 8:10 PM, with the room gradually darkening as the moon rises outside the window.
By the end of the book, the bunny has said goodnight to everything in the room, including the moon shining through the window. The final words, “Goodnight noises everywhere,” bring the story to a peaceful close as the bunny drifts off to sleep in the now-quiet room.
Themes
Bedtime routine and ritual
Comfort and security in familiar surroundings
Transition from wakefulness to sleep
Observation and awareness of one's environment
Gentle repetition and rhythm in language
Connection between child and caregiver
Gradual winding down and relaxation
Setting
Set in a timeless era, Goodnight Moon takes place in a cozy bedroom that evokes a sense of mid-20th century Americana. The story unfolds in “a great green room,” which serves as the central setting for the little bunny's bedtime ritual. While the exact geographical location is not specified, the familiar objects and warm atmosphere suggest a typical child's room in a suburban American home.
The larger world beyond the room is only hinted at through the window, where readers can see the night sky and the moon gradually rising. This limited view emphasizes the intimate, enclosed nature of the setting, creating a safe and comforting space for the young protagonist. The room itself becomes a microcosm of the child's world, filled with everyday objects that take on special significance as the bunny bids them goodnight.
Within this carefully crafted environment, illustrator Clement Hurd's alternating color and black-and-white spreads add depth to the setting. The color pages showcase the room's details, while the black-and-white illustrations focus on specific objects, creating a rhythmic visual experience that mirrors the text's soothing cadence. This artistic choice enhances the story's dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between the tangible room and the realm of sleep that awaits the little bunny.
Characters
Little Bunny: The main character, a young rabbit who is going to sleep. The bunny says goodnight to various objects in the room as part of a bedtime ritual. Though never explicitly described, the bunny's actions and surroundings suggest a sense of comfort and security in the familiar nighttime routine.
Old Lady: A minor character, an older female rabbit who whispers “hush.” She likely represents a mother or caretaker figure. The old lady is present in the room but remains mostly in the background, allowing the little bunny to be the focus of the story.
Mouse: A minor character that appears in each spread of the book. The mouse moves around the room, providing a subtle visual element for observant readers to track. Its presence adds a touch of liveliness to the otherwise quiet nighttime scene.
Kittens: Minor characters, two kittens are mentioned in the text and visible in the illustrations. They contribute to the cozy, domestic atmosphere of the room and are among the things the little bunny says goodnight to.
Quick facts
Goodnight Moon was initially rejected by the New York Public Library and not stocked until 1972, 25 years after its publication.
The book's idea came to Margaret Wise Brown in a dream in 1945.
The characters are depicted as rabbits because illustrator Clement Hurd was better at drawing rabbits than humans.
A photograph of Hurd in the book was digitally altered in 2005 to remove a cigarette.
The book contains several references to Brown and Hurd's earlier work, The Runaway Bunny.
The story takes place over 70 minutes, from 7:00 PM to 8:10 PM, as shown by the clocks in the room.
By 2017, Goodnight Moon had sold an estimated 48 million copies worldwide.
The book has been translated into over a dozen languages, including Ukrainian, Armenian, and Hmong.
Brown bequeathed the book's royalties to Albert Clarke, a young neighbor who later claimed to be her son.
In 2012, composer Eric Whitacre obtained permission to set the book's text to music, creating various choral arrangements.
About the Author
Margaret Wise Brown was a prolific American writer of children's books, best known for her classics Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Born in 1910 in Brooklyn, she authored over 100 books during her lifetime, many featuring animal characters and rhythmic prose that appealed to young readers. Brown's writing style was influenced by the “here and now” philosophy of the Bank Street Experimental School, where she worked as a teacher early in her career.
Brown's creative process was unconventional—she often dreamed up stories and frantically wrote them down upon waking. Her approach to children's literature was groundbreaking, as she strove to write in a way that resonated with how children actually thought and spoke. This sometimes meant including challenging vocabulary or concepts that pushed young readers to expand their understanding.
Throughout her career, Brown collaborated with numerous illustrators, including Clement Hurd and Garth Williams. She also wrote under several pseudonyms, such as Golden MacDonald and Timothy Hay. Despite her success, Brown's life was cut tragically short when she died in 1952 at the age of 42 from an embolism following surgery.
Brown's legacy continues to thrive decades after her death. Her books remain popular and have been translated into multiple languages. The Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children's Literature was established in her honor at Hollins University, her alma mater. Brown's unique voice and innovative approach to children's literature have solidified her place as one of the most influential authors in the genre.
