Charlie plans, prepares, and completes the steps to put pet dragon Rosie to bed. Charlie, a black child with a high-top fade, has had challenges putting Rosie to bed, so tonight Charlie is prepared with a plan--a long, intricate plan. First, there are supplies to gather: a drink of water (no sneaking juice into it, Rosie), a stuffed horsie (if they can find it), and a fire extinguisher, because--well, because dragons. Bathtime is a mess, but Charlie is at the ready with a towel. Rosie insists on wearing footie pajamas, which cause a dramatic overheating issue, so when the fan Charlie has set up doesn't work, it's time for that fire extinguisher. Charlie must wear a raincoat for protection when Rosie brushes her teeth. Finally, after a story, it's time for Rosie to snuggle into bed while Charlie takes a relaxing bath to unwind--but of course, a post-bedtime emergency is inevitable. Rosie is a round-bellied, buck-toothed, bright pink dragon whose goofy looks are endearing; the cartoonish illustrations are busy, dramatizing the chaos that Rosie brings wherever she goes. Though it drags on a little longer than necessary, this humorous story is a sweet representation of caretaking and patience, with a parallel that can extend to older and younger siblings as well as to parent-child relationships, perhaps making young readers a bit more self-reflective and empathetic. This dramatic bedtime tale is not for everyone but will satisfy many. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--Back from Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves, Charlie tries to put his pet and best friend to bed. Despite some cute details, what follows is a by-the-numbers book. In each step of their nighttime schedule, Rosie goes overboard and Charlie must reign her in. Although her actions, like overfilling the bubble bath, are frustrating, Charlie remains positive and patient while continuing to gently guide her through the bedtime process. The vibrantly colored cartoon illustrations reflect the silly, upbeat tone of the story, however sometimes scenes are too busy. The text also feels small on some spreads, even when there is ample negative space to make it larger. Readers may be puzzled by the absence of Rosie's pajamas after she puts them on. While the story shows that her footie pajamas lead to overheating, it never provides an alternative choice and she remains unclothed for the rest of the story. VERDICT An additional purchase--and for collections where the first book does well--this entry into the bedtime routine genre promotes inclusivity by featuring a child of color.--Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL