Janet Costa Bates - Storytime and Book Signing

Beloved children's author Janet Costa Bates joins us for a special Saturday morning storytime. Kids of all ages welcome!

At Isaac’s first sleepover, he gets to help Grandpop with a very special routine—putting the house to bed—in a story that’s just right for children visiting a new place, or for adopting a new ritual at home.



Isaac is excited about having a sleepover at Grandpop’s house, but he’s a little nervous about being away from home for the first time. Luckily, his knowing Grandpop tells him it’s not quite time to go to bed yet—first, he needs Isaac’s help in putting the house to bed. Quietly and slowly, they move from room to room, turning out lights and pulling down shades, as Grandpop gently explains the nighttime sounds that Isaac finds unfamiliar. Now it’s time to read the house a bedtime story (Isaac is good at reading the pictures). By the time the house is settled in for the night, Isaac and Grandpop are ready for bed, too. Janet Costa Bates’s tender story and A. G. Ford’s cozy illustrations will have families—and extended families or friends—eager to take a wise Grandpop’s cue and embrace a new nighttime tradition.

Author Janet Costa Bates loves creating stories for kids. She lives in Massachusetts, where she and her husband enjoy having their grandchildren visit for sleepovers.

• LLAMAS, IGUANAS, AND MY VERY BEST FRIEND (Candlewick Press), a Junior Library Guild selection, is the first book in the Rica Baptista chapter book series.

• TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE (Candlewick Press) was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, received four starred reviews, and was on several 2021 best books lists.

• Fun fact: SEASIDE DREAM (Lee and Low) is featured in the children’s room mural at the Boston Public Library.

• Find her at janetcostabates.com or social media @jcostabates.