Sleepy Picture Book Parade

Today I am checking out at two picture books that look at sleep in different ways. First, we have Stop That Yawn! By Caron Levis and Illustrated by LeUyen Pham and then there is Bear Can't Sleep by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.

Bear Can't Sleep-

Poor bear. It is winter time and he is supposed to be sleeping, but he is wide awake. His friends drop by his den to help him go to sleep and begin his hibernation, but nothing works. Bear Can't Sleep! They drink tea, warm milk, sing songs and even count sheep, but it is not until bear takes an active role by making up a bedtime story, that the snoring begins.

This book is an easy read for youngsters to pick up. There are all kinds of animals that come visit and each try something different to soothe bear. The repetition of the words, "can't sleep" allows a child to join in on the fun. This is a cute one and I'm giving it 4 stars!

Stop That Yawn!-
Gabby Wild does not want to go to sleep. Instead, she convinces her Grandma to take her to the city that never sleeps. They go to a carnival, eat ice cream and listen to music. But, high atop the Ferris wheel, grandma feels so cozy that she lets out a yawn. Now the yawn is on the loose and it is putting everyone to sleep. Gabby runs all over town trying to make noise and stop that yawn, but even she isn't powerful enough to stop a yawn. So, she turns to the reader of the book to help. The reader's yawn makes Gabby yawn and then the game is over. Sleepytime.

This book is full of wonderful, fanciful illustrations. I loved looking at all the crazy things in the city that never sleeps. Then, when Gabby talks to the reader she is right there in your face, and it is perfect. This picture book will have children looking at all the cool images and thinking about what they would do to stay awake. 5 stars!