
Sylvia Plath, illus. Cindy Wume
Faber and Faber
Age 3-7 years
The Bed Book is a picture book version of a well-known poem written by the acclaimed American poet Sylvia Plath for her own children in 1959.
It is a playful exploration of what a bed could become with just a sprinkling of imagination. In this poem a bed is not simply a place for sleeping or resting, it might be all sorts of things. If jet propelled it would be ideal for visiting Mars, it might be a submarine exploring the ocean or an arena for a troupe of acrobats.
There is lots of humour in this picture book, which brings Plath’s popular poem to a new generation. Full of rhythmic language, it would be great fun to read aloud and may well prompt children’s own inventiveness as they imagine what else a bed might become. The illustrations are lively, colourful and amusing, perfectly matching the text.
Watch a read aloud from another illustrated version of this poem>

Share the story
Read aloud
Read the book aloud to your child and then share again looking closely at the illustrations.
Join in
Once familiar with the story encourage your child to join in or take turns with you if they are developing confidence as readers.
Talk about the book
◼︎Which idea for what a bed might become do you each like best? Talk about this choosing a favourite idea and favourite illustration
◼︎Does your child have any other ideas of what a bed may become? Talk about these
◼︎Talk about any unfamiliar words eg ‘trundle’ or ‘automat’ and what these might mean.
NB the publisher has asterisked the words ‘eskimo’ and ‘hottentot’ you may decide to talk about this and words which would be considered more acceptable alternatives today.
Things to make and do
