Can't Sleep without Sheep [Paperback]

This is fabulous bedtime story - it has become a new favorite in our household. The story and illustrations are wonderful - recommend to children of all ages!

Every so often I am sent a book, buy a new book, or spot a new book at the library that after I read the first page or two, am absolutely, positively for sure is going to be a winner. This small group of books, when I do run across them, is like finding a valuable treasure or surprise presents that come out of nowhere. This latest offering by Susanna Leonard Hill most certainly falls into that category! I have to tell you that I was absolutely delighted with this book from cover to cover.

A little girl by the name of Ava once had a hard time falling to sleep because her mind was oh so very busy; typical of every little kid you know. Her mother tries to help her and suggests she try counting sheep to help her sleep. This the little girl did. She counted and counted and then counted some more, but as the book informs us:

"But her mind was full of ideas and questions, thoughts of today, and plans for tomorrow." This was effective and went on night after night. Finally the sheep asked the little girl if they can please stop as they were completely exhausted. Ave tells the no! So, as sheep will often do, they said "In that case, we quit."

What is Eva to do? Well, with the help of the sheep they search for replacements; horses, chickens, cow and pigs; moose and monkeys, armadillos with hippos. Each animal of course had some major drawbacks and are quite unsuitable as sleep aids. When they got to the buffalo that charged the fence, and pretty well wrecked everything, Eva decided it was time to do some negotiations with the sheep. Will they resolve the problem, and if so, how?

I have to tell you that the text here is some of the best I have read in some time now and that the art work by illustrator Mike Wohnoutka is not only top of the line, but funny and fascinating. Extremely detailed but mellow pictures perfectly illustrate the text and go perfectly page after page. This work is a delight to both the ear and the eye.

As chance would have it, the very day I received this book, I had two classes of first graders on my hands; I am a substitute teacher, among other things. I took this book with me to use during reading time. This was a total of 46 very sophisticated, hardcore and jaded little literary critics. I must tell you that with the exception of one student, Ducky, they love this book and each class demanded a second reading. Ducky, the smallest kid in the classes would, I am sure, have like it too, but she chose "reading time" to practice kidney kicks on the little (well, actually he is not all that small) boy in front of her and alas, I had to give Ducky a "time out," which put her in a complete snit. This is a pity because Ducky is my kind of kid and one of my favorites. Anyway, a child endorsement for a children's book is about as good as you can get.

This book is a perfect group read as the book itself is large and the pictures are quite clear and the text is extremely precise. It is also quite funny; both pictures and text, and a pure joy to read to a room full of wee ones. This would also make an excellent one on one read. The book is hardcover and is very well constructed and should be able to take quite a beating. This is good as it is one you will be asked to read over and over again.

Susanna Leonard Hill as also written Punxsutawney Phyllis and No Sword Fighting in the House: A Holiday House Reader Level 2.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Ava tossed and turned in her bed, but try as she might she couldn't get to sleep. She held her dog stuffie over her head, leaned over the side of her bed to play with her soccer ball, and stretched her legs up against the headboard of her bed. No sleep. Her mother came in and suggested she count sheep. "One sheep jumping over the fence . . . two sheep jumping over the fence . . . three sheep jumping over the fence . . . " No sleep. Ava's head was filled with so many things she just couldn't get to sleep, even with those fluffy sheep sailing right over that picket fence. Sheep being sheep, they finally got tired of jumping over the fence for a little girl who couldn't go to sleep.

Absolutely no more jumping because they were exhausted. Ava pleaded with them to continue so she could get some sleep, but the sheep promised they'd "find a replacement." A horse leaped over the fence and he was so much fun Ava just smiled with delight. No sleep. The daffy dumb cluck chickens just made her laugh. No sleep. The fluffy sheep just wiped his brow. This was going to be a tough one. The pigs were too slow and the cows "were a complete disaster." No fence. No sleep. A giraffe, an elephant, a crocodile, a moose, some flamingos, a waddle of penguins and other animals began to line up in front of the fence. Would any of these critters be able to get Ava to sleep?

This heavenly, hilarious little tale of the sheep and a herd of other animals that couldn't get Ava to sleep will delight your little one. Try as they might those poor, exhausted sheep couldn't get Ava to fall asleep. Unless you have a rare child, I'm sure you've experienced the exhaustion the sheep felt when they tried everything to get her to fall asleep. I smiled and laughed as each animal tried to work their magic on Ava, especially the googly eyed chickens who didn't quite understand how to go over the fence. The artwork was scrumptiously silly and meshed perfectly with this zany tale. If you are having some sleepless nights or simply want a fun bedtime tale, this is one you certainly should consider!