Mortimer

This classic bedtime rebellion story captures the universal struggle between sleepy parents and wide-awake children with hilarious accuracy. Mortimer refuses to settle down, belting out his noisy song despite escalating interventions from his family and eventually the police. The repetitive, chant-like structure makes this an interactive read-aloud experience that children will eagerly participate in every time. Robert Munsch's signature rhythm and escalating chaos create a perfect storm of bedtime defiance that feels both outrageous and completely relatable.

What makes this story endure is how it validates every child's secret desire to push boundaries while delivering the satisfying conclusion parents appreciate. The miniature Annikin format makes this rebellion portable—small enough for little hands to carry their favorite troublemaker everywhere. Young readers who enjoy testing limits will cheer for Mortimer's spirited resistance, while adults will recognize the familiar exhaustion of trying to outlast a determined child. The final twist—where the adults' own noise becomes the unexpected lullaby—offers a wink of recognition to anyone who's ever engaged in bedtime negotiations.