That’s right, Wrestlefest Fans—26,000 (!!!!) kids in 1,300 classrooms, and over 130+ schools in the great state of Oklahoma voted and FRIDAY NIGHT WRESTLEFEST dropkicked the FIERCE (!) competition.
“A well-executed romp, perfect for those little movers who need to burn some energy before finally hitting the mat(tress).”
—BOOKLIST
"Wrestling is not as much about the 'battle to the bedtime' as it is an opportunity for a family to have some joyful, rough-and-tumble fun... An energetic show all the way."
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"A boisterous blow off sure to tucker listeners out before they're tucked in."
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
illustrations © Micah Player
FRIDAY NIGHT WRESTLEFEST
Bedtime has never been more fun! Join this joyful bedtime blitz with the young wrestling fan in your life.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Friday night, and these kids are ready to wrestle! Join Dangerous Daddoo as he dishes out some serious moves to get the kids ready for bed. But what happens when Flying Mom Bomb gets home from work? Are the kids toast? Or is Daddoo in danger?
From writer J. F. Fox and illustrator Micah Player comes a charming and quirky family story that will teach you a new Bedtime Blitz that everyone will enjoy.
Roaring Book Press/Macmillan, Ages: 3-7
PRAISE & REVIEWS
Evanston Public Library Great Books for Kids 2020
PARENTS magazine Best Book of 2020
Redbud Read-Aloud list 2021
“Bedtime is often a contest of wills, so it’s not a huge leap to imagine it as a WWE-type event. Here, however, wrestling is not as much about the “battle to the bedtime” as it is an opportunity for a family to have some joyful, rough-and-tumble fun. In one corner is Dangerous Daddoo; in the other, kids Peanut Brother and Jellyfish. Daddoo shows some serious moves with the “squishy squid squeeze” and “seriously slobbery codfish kisses.” Appearing suddenly, Mama-Rama, in a classic wrestling move, double crosses her husband with a hug from behind (a “parent trap”). But no one is a match for the third child, Big Bald Baby, who hastens the battle royale’s end with a “diaper of doom.” For those reading aloud, debut author Fox—in mostly all-caps typography—provides plenty of opportunity to strut as a ringside commentator. Art by Player (My School, Your School, Our Schools) is loose and exuberant as ever, with sprawling, theatrical compositions and a bright-as-all-get-out palette. An energetic show all the way.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A loving family masquerading as pro wrestlers rings in the weekend with a nocturnal cuddle-clash.
“If love is a battlefield, bedtime surely qualifies as siege warfare—or at least a good scrap. Fox reimagines this household ritual through a new angle, with the whole family clad in homemade wrestling attire duking it out in a scarf-roped, blanket-matted squared circle in the living room. At the opening bell, Peanut Brother and sis Jellyfish no-sell Dangerous Daddoo’s attempt to impose curfew. Player’s vivacious palette and dynamic brush strokes dominate each page, and the larger-than-life characters’ minimalist facial features ensure maximum expressiveness. The in-ring action is fast-paced, with Fox’s punchy text sprawling over spreads and emphatically discouraging silent reading. Be warned: This shout-aloud story demands the best from any caregiver’s inner MC, and the bright, pun-laden, affection-filled narrative is sure to inspire emulation. Though Daddoo is initially caught off guard by a “WHEM BAM JAM SLAM-WICH,” he quickly turns the match into a literal slobberknocker by unleashing his patented “CODFISH KISSES.” Things are looking desperate for the Tag Team Twins until Mama-Rama gets home and turns on Daddoo, catching him in a classic “PARENT TRAP.” In the end, it’s Big Bald Baby who brings down the house with a “DIAPER OF DOOM,” and, after singing, brushing, flushing, and polishing off a book, the kids finally go down for the count. All family members have dark, curly hair and light-brown skin.
A boisterous blow off sure to tucker listeners out before they’re tucked in. (Picture book.)”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
”For a certain brown-skinned suburban family, the weekend means just one thing: Friday Night Wrestlefest and the Battle to the Bedtime! Unseen ringside announcers narrate as, in a living room turned wrestling ring, Dangerous Daddoo (“He’s mad. He’s bad. He’s DAD!”) squares off against the Tag Team Twins and Big Bald Baby. Following a salvo of kisses, Daddoo is poised to win, until Mama-Rama’s surprise arrival turns the tide. She double-crosses Daddoo, all but ending bedtime—until Big Bald Baby unleashes a “Clear-the-Room Diaper of Doom!” Fox’s unconventional bedtime book is bold, bright, and buzzing with energy, thanks to the punchy text and dynamic illustrations. This one is more an ode to roughhousing and family fun than to pro wrestling, but Player’s creative character designs will inspire young readers to invent their own in-ring personae. A well-executed romp, perfect for those little movers who need to burn some energy before finally hitting the mat(tress).”
—BOOKLIST
"Let’s get ready to wrestle! In this corner, brother and sister duo Peanut Brother and Jellyfish are ready to square off against Dangerous Daddo and bedtime. But unexpected surprises and appearances ramp up the event to new heights. Wrestlefest serves as a great allegory for the struggles of getting everyone ready for bed, but also shows a loving family being silly with each other. The bright color palette makes the characters stand out against an often solid background, and is equally impressive during the wrestling scenes. Artist Player mixes anime-style action shots, complete with extreme close-ups, with sweet scenes of hugs and kisses. The family is depicted as having light brown skin, and it is implied that mom works outside the home and dad is the primary caregiver. VERDICT A solid purchase for most libraries, and a delightful bedtime pick."
—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
