On the first night he's to sleep in a big-kid bed, Flynn announces, "Mom, Dad, there's a walrus in my bed." They suspect a stalling tactic...until they agree to let the rotund, bright orange walrus sleep in their bed. The story plays like vindication for kids, and young readers can be forgiven for wondering if the whiskered snuggler wouldn't make a fine pet.

It's hard to sleep in a new bed.Flynn has a brand-new big-boy bed, but falling asleep in it is not as easy as it seems. For one thing, the bed comes with a walrus. A big one. "Are you hungry?" the little white boy asks. It turns out the answer is yes, but food doesn't make Walrus sleepy. Extra blankets, a glass of milk, and a serenade don't help either, though they do disturb Flynn's parents (also white), who naturally assume that there is no walrus and it's Flynn who can't sleep. Warm, funny, and appealing illustrations show Flynn as he adjusts the light, checks for monsters, and scratches Walrus' itch while his tired parents suffer through what they believe is noisy evidence of Flynn's imagination. It's not until Flynn offers a cuddle that Walrus drifts off, but then Flynn discovers that the bed isn't big enough for the two of them. Flynn's parents agree that Walrus can spend the night with them if Flynn promises to sleep, but they are in for a big walrus-shaped surprise! Children will enjoy Flynn's inventiveness as well as his awareness of a situation his parents don't perceive. Charming endpapers extend the story at both the beginning and end and leave room for creative discussion and play. A humorous bedtime story that children will recognize as a twist on their own experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)