Katie Goodman

I enjoyed this book very much because it shows what children might be thinking when their parents go on date with a very surprising twist. I loved the illustrations and how it showed the children doing their chores and showed the possible scenarios the parents could be in. Such as them getting attacked by an ostrich, and their dad pulling their mother out of quicksand in the movie theater. The language was very descriptive and detailed when describing the ludicrous, risible events their parents could be in. It was also very fitting for the children, they interrupt each other as they get excited thinking of absurd situations their parents could be facing on their date night. I also enjoyed the repartee between the babysitter, Abby, and the children. Instead of shutting down their whimsical ideas of date night, she provided an alternative to every situation. For example, the children worried their father would order the squid for dinner, and then it escapes from the kitchen and slithers into the dining room. The babysitter answers by saying that their mother would braid the squid’s tentacles up and they would be fine. My favorite part of the book, is that towards the end, the children begin to get carried away with their ideas and begin to overwhelm themselves and Abby. The parents then walk right in and the children are relieved to see their parents’ home safe and sound. There was no overall message or plot to the story, but the story shows the children enjoying themselves with the babysitter as they do their chores and chat away about their parents.… (meer)

When their parents go out one night on a dinner-date, two children speculate about the dangers they might encounter, from evil flying unicorns to vampire movie ushers. Their every fear is calmed by their babysitter, who has an answer to everything, until finally mom and dad arrive home. But was everything the two children feared really just in their imaginations...?

Written by husband-and-wife team Soren Kisiel and Katie Goodman, who are improv comedians and comedy writers, and illustrated by freelance animator Cat Tuong Bui, The Night Our Parents Went Out is the first children's book I have encountered that addresses the fear children might feel at their parents leaving home for the evening. Although I would imagine that this is an experience that some children do have, it isn't one I myself have encountered, either as a babysitter when young, or during the 20+ years I have worked in various bookstores, leading me to wonder whether it really is that widespread a fear among children. Leaving that question aside, although I did appreciate the imagination displayed by the two children in the story here, I simply wasn't as entertained or amused as I suspect I was meant to be. The artwork, moreover, looked rather flat and unappealing to me, and did nothing to increase my reading pleasure. This would have been a low two-star title for me, if not for that surprise ending, which upped my rating by half a star.… (meer)

The Night Our Parents Went Out is a hilarious tale of two kid's imaginations. When their parents go out on a date, they immediately think the worst, but their babysitter reminds them that their parents are strong and that they can beat anything. I like this book a lot for many reasons. Firstly, I know that many children may have anxiety when being left with a babysitter for the first time. This book may help to relieve some of the stress that comes with date night by teaching children that it is okay to be away from their parents sometimes. I also enjoy the way that this book was written and illustrated. The kids in the book come up with crazy situations that would never happen in real life, but the illustrations match the text perfectly and create a detailed image of what the children's imaginations would look like.… (meer)

OMGoodness- if this book isn't about the cutest children's story ever written! I took a chance on winning it in two different book drawings and I happily got this one. Had I won both, I'd have given it to my Ewoks... too bad for the woks! LOL I'm keeping this baby! I'll read it to them though.

So first, the book cover is totally amazing! The illustrations, by Cat Tuong Bui, are so bright, colorful and nostalgic- I can't help but love it! They make me think of cartoons from the 60's and 70's- they're the type of pics I'd love to have in my own children's book. If I wrote children's books.

Okay, so the story is about a brother and sister who are nameless. They're terrified for their parents' safety. Anything could happen to them while going out on this so-called date. Thank goodness for Abby, their babysitter who uniquely counters each and every danger two children below the age of ten can think of!
From evil unicorn-elevators to braiding squid tentacles; from jet-packed guard ostriches to quicksand monsters- these kids think of it all and Abby thinks of amusing antics where Mom and Dad defy all laws of zany situations! This story and it's pictures are more than a children's book. It's a TRUE ADVENTURE! Check out The Night Our Parents Went Out, by Katie Goodman and Soren Kissel!

To view Video: http://tinyurl.com/gugk84n
**This book was provided by Katie Goodman and Soren Kisiel, FREE, via Shelf Awareness, for an honest review.… (meer)