Book Description

This is Russell.

Sometimes Russell is just a little bit out of step with the rest of the flock.

All the sheep are falling asleep -- except Russell.

What's a sheep to do?

Russell tries everything ... until, at last, he falls asleep. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

too cute
Russell is a sheep who just can't seem to fall asleep one night.He tries everything from counting the stars to locating the perfect sleeping spot.Nothing works for him.That is until he decides to count sheep!This works and Russell is finally asleep.By this time it's morning and all the other sheep are ready to start their day!

The cartoon like illustrations are full of detail.Lots for little eyes to llok at while the story is being read!
We would recommend this book to others.We feel that the book will entertain children in a wide variety of age groups.There is a little green frog that shows up though out the book.It's fun to discover what the will be up to next!

Richie's Picks: RUSSELL THE SHEEP
"Last night I didn't get to sleep at all, no, no.
I lay awake and watched until the morning light
Washed away the darkness of the lonely night
And last night I didn't get to sleep, didn't get to sleep,
No, I didn't get to sleep at all."
--The Fifth Dimension

Between meetings, workshops, zigzagging between the various publisher booths, morning and evening social events, and late night nibbling at the new ARCs I've just scored, I don't get much sleep when I'm off at the various book-related conventions.

Five-plus years ago, Shari and I were strolling around the exhibition hall at ALA Midwinter in San Antonio. The best part of being "on the floor" at ALA Midwinter is the abundance of editors in attendance. It is always exciting to get an earful of what these frequently unsung heroes of the children's publishing industry actually have their hands on, along with what they've just completed in collaboration with their talented authors.

Anne Schwartz is one of those brilliant and charming editors with whom I love to chat. When Shari and I encountered Anne in San Antonio at that 2000 Midwinter convention, I immediately asked her what hot new literary magic she had up her sleeve for the distant fall season, then eight or nine months down the road.

When Anne responded that I HAD to see the picture book she'd just finished I was momentarily disappointed. The best thing you have for the entire fall season is a picture book? I said to myself, my hope having been that she'd instead be raving about the manuscript for some spectacular novel for eight-to-twelve-year-olds.

But my skepticism instantly evaporated as she opened a manilla file and pulled out a paste-up of OLIVIA. I'll never forget that first reading, including the ending when:

"Olivia's mom gives her a kiss and says, 'You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway.' And Olivia gives her a kiss back and says, 'I love you anyway too.' "

"Close your eyes and I'll close mine, goodnight sleep tight
Now the moon begins to shine, goodnight sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me, dream sweet dreams for you."
--The Beatles

I recall the OLIVIA incident because Rob Scotton's RUSSELL THE SHEEP is the cutest and funniest and best illustrated animal character I've seen in a picture book since OLIVIA. And while RUSSELL THE SHEEP won't officially come to the attention of the Caldecott committee the way OLIVIA did (being that Rob Scotton is British not American), I will be shocked if Russell does not similarly grab the Book Sense Illustrated Book of the Year award after he grabs the hearts and imaginations of large herds of American kids, young and old.

Rob Scotton is certainly no unknown quantity in Britain. Not only a celebrated illustrator of greeting cards and posters, his animal characters even adorn a series of Portmerion china.

But the exploits of Russell and the expressions of the various sheep characters in his first picture book go far beyond anything Scotton's accomplished previously. Within just one of the book's first illustrations ("...night fell and the sheep got ready for bed."), you have Russell prancing atop a tree while one sheep is brushing its teeth, one is holding a steaming mug of cocoa, one is heavy-eyed and clutching a teddy bear, and one old lady sheep (wearing spectacles and an old-fashioned night hat) is lying under a quilt with four feet straight up in the air and a glass containing a solution and her false teeth beside her.

Russell goes through all sorts of delightful misadventures trying to get to sleep. And then, by the end of the story when everyone is getting up (Granny putting in her teeth, another sheep reading the Daily Bleat), Russell, of course, is fast asleep.

Good night, Russell!

Adorable
This beautifully illustrated book combines humor with the charming
tale of a sleepless sheep. I was won over from the first page, showing the adorable Russell playfully swinging from a tree!
Every illustration is rich with detail (personally I am a big fan of the frog). I'm hoping to see Russell merchandise to follow,
he would make a delightful toy!

Outstanding!
This is a beautifully illustrated book. It makes me laugh just to look through it. There are slight details to be found in all the illustrations and it is positely beautiful to look at. It is a story of Russell the sheep who can't go to sleep - "Not tired," he says. The other sheep in the flock are all fast asleep under their cute homemade quilts, but Russell is counting his feet, trying to sleep in vehicles and other various locations and counting all the stars in the sky trying to make himself tired. Very entertaining.

Wonderful!
This book is delightful! My three year old and I both love it. The illustrations are wonderful and the story is so cute! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For a little one who is reluctant to go to bed, sometimes a silly bookis just the ticket. And when it comes to silly books, Sandra Boynton is theundisputed queen. In The Going to Bed Book, an ark full of animalswatches the sun go down and then prepares for bed. They take a bath ("in one bigtub"), find pajamas, brush their teeth, do exercises up on deck (imagine anelephant jumping rope, a moose lifting weights, and a pig doing handstands), andfinally say good night.

The moon is high. The sea is deep.
They rock
and rock
and rock
to sleep.

Reviews (56)

A Fun Story for Bedtime
This colorful board book from Sandra Boynton's is a bedtime treat! An assortment of expressive animals gets ready for bed aboard a giant boat. Boynton amusingly shows then bathing, dressing, brushing teeth ("With some on top and some beneath, they brush and brush and brush their teeth."), and exercising together.

It closes with the animals settling down for the night: "They rock and rock and rock to sleep." Graced by Boynton's well-known illustrations and rhythmic poetry, this is a great book for infants and toddlers alike.

The Sun has Set not Long Ago
Great bed time book. The rhymes are fun, and it is a fantastically silly story. My husband and daughter and I have all had this book memorized since she was 6 months old ( she is two and 1/2 now). We love to recite it to one another, and have had to have two copies of the book (ah that teething stage was hard, she chewed right through everything.) We all love Sandra Boynton, she is a reliable read and a lot of fun.

A rescue item for a tired PARENT
Our son has loved this book from when he was 6 months to now, at 14 months. The story is very loosely based on a Biblical tale (didn't anyone get the Ark reference?) and simply describes what every child can do before bed, brushing teeth, getting changed, a little play, and bedtime. In addition, we tell the story in two languages and ask him to point out certain animals or to make a teeth brushing motion, which he does with increased accuracy. I recommend it to all the families in my mother's group!

Our FAVORITE "Night-Night" book...
We LOVE Sandra Boynton, and this book is our favorite. My 2 yr. old son knows all the words and the hand motions we've made up to go along w/ it. We laugh and read just about every night before prayers. It's a must have for your toddler.

Another Classic Boynton!
Next to Goodnight Moon, this is our top choice for a bedtime read. The text is lulling & the drawings are adorable.
The animals are on a boat (some say this is confusing to children - it is supposed to be silly!) and they are getting ready for bed. They go through the usuals - bathtime, jammies, teeth brushing...with a little goofiness thrown in - a little late night exercise! Just enough for a little grin before settling down.
Classic Boyton!! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (46)

Beautiful art and peaceful story make a great combo
The Napping House covers a whole family falling asleep: granny, child, dog, cat, mouse... until the wakeful flea bites the mouse... and then everyone wakes up! Audrey and Don Woods have written a gentle bedtime story pre-schoolers will want to hear over and over. The text is easy to read and repetitive, perfect for young children. The gorgeous, expressive and detailed illustrations, provide enjoyment to children and to adults alike. It's fun to sit and just look at the pictures and point out the details that are there. My kids love that! This is a classic book and is a wonderful addition to anyone's library. I've used it sucessfully in children's literacy programs - kids never seem to get tired of reading it and looking at the pictures.

A Must Read at Bedtime
This is the Napping House, where everyone is sleeping. It's dark, raining and very subdued. First there's the cozy bed, followed by the snoring granny, the dreaming child, dozing dog, snoozing cat, slumbering mouse and finally, the wakeful flea. And then the wakeful flea bites the mouse... The team of Audrey and Don Woods has put together a wonderful, gentle bedtime story pre-schoolers will want to hear again and again. With easy to read, repetitive text and beautifully detailed, expressive illustrations, youngsters watch the ever growing pile of sleeping bodies move, change position and then slowly lighten and brighten as one by one, everyone wakes up. As the book ends, the last page shows the napping house where no one is sleeping. It's sunny and cheerful with a rainbow in the sky. This is a classic the whole family will enjoy and a must for all home libraries.

A Book My Son & I Love
I think alot of great things have been said by the reviewers that have come before me, but I want to add my two cents! My toddler son just loves this book. He particularly loves to search for the flea and the mouse on each page--even though he now knows where they are! He never tires of hearing it and I never tire of reading it. A great purchase.

great book!
This is the story of a house where everyone sleeps in one bed
and how they all wake up, when the mouse sneezes.

It is a great repetitive book that children relate to and they can follow very easily.

The Napping House
I really liked this book. It was a good book for sequencing. I thought the pictures were very colorful. ... Read more

Book Description

A fanciful foray into the imagination of a child can be found in the delightfully written and dazzlingly illustrated new children's book, The Sleep Ponies. Author/illustrator Gudrun Ongman, a professional sculptor and painter, has transformed her mother's bedtime tale into a lyrical myth about magic ponies that carry children away to golden fields of dreams. The sweet story, the evocative, description prose, and the warm, soft watercolors all combine to captivate both parent and child as they journey together to the land of The Sleep Ponies. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Enchanting Naptime Story
I love reading this book to my sons. They seemed to be almost eager for their nap the first time they heard of the little girl who closed her eyes and met the Sleep Ponies. The words and pictures make the story come alive. We never get tired of this one.

Beautiful and accomplished watercolor illustrations
The Sleep Ponies by Gudrun Ongman is the deftly woven and highly recommended picture book story of a little girl who learns from her grandmother how to call her "sleep ponies" into her dreams. Ongman's beautiful and accomplished watercolor illustrations superbly enhance this gentle and touching children's picture book.

wonderful , beautiful story!
Loved it from start to finish. Illustrations were beautifully done and the story, it makes you feel has if your there in a dream. A wonderful book for all ages.

Surely a "Classic"
Magic? Intrigue? Charming story-telling? No I'm not talking about the popular Harry Potter series. I'm referring to writer and illustrator, Gudrun Ongman's new book, The Sleep Ponies. As the book jacket suggests, it's for readers ages four and up. I've just finished reading The Sleep Ponies for at least the fifth time. A few weeks ago, I shared the book with my 89-year-old mother who praised it for its creativity and wonderment. I sent a copy as a birthday present to my sister-in-law and her daughter knowing their shared love of horses. Gudrun has been doing readings at various book stores and the book is well-received by younger audiences. An eighth grade student of mine thoroughly enjoyed The Sleep Ponies as it tapped into her love of horses. Through the poetic prose and beautiful illustrations, Gudrun Ongman has captured the essence of a child's dream of being with horses. The watercolor and pastel pictures are poetic in themselves. Surely, the book is a contender for a Caldecott Award. The Sleep Ponies promises to be a classic passed from generation to generation. Read, relax, and you too may enter the delightful world of the The Sleep Ponies.

The Sleep Ponies
If you are looking for the perfect book to read to or with a young reader, look no further! The Sleep Ponies is superbly illustrated with charming,bright colored drawings that immediately set the mood for the beautiful story.Each page is a work of art in and of itself. The story is about a young girl who is taught by her grandmother to call The Sleep Ponies.They take her on magical adventures during her naptimes.The writing style is soft and poetical, creating a restful,dreamy mood.For any child who loves horses or any adult who remembers their own youthful daydreams,this is a wonderful experience to share. It is one book that you will not mind hearing over and over again. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (11)

A good get-ready-to-sleep book
Sleepy Bears is a predictable story about Mother Bear and her six bear children getting into bed to hibernate for the winter. Mother Bear says goodnight to each of her cubs and suggests what she thinks each of them will dream about.

Kerry Argent has beautifully illustrated the bears so that they look fuzzy enough to touch. The textured artwork of the "real" world is different from that of the dreams. The scenery and objects illustrated in the bear cubs' dreams is flatter looking, with little shading or color gradient.

Argent has included a blue stuffed elephant in each non-dream illustration. It is on the title page, and then is held by one or another of the bear cubs throughout the book until the final page. Once everyone has fallen asleep, the stuffed elephant blows out the candle. This book is a perfect read-before-bed story, with it's peaceful illustrations and repetition of the line "Now who's the sleepiest? Who will be next?"

Mem Fox may be Australian, but, with the exception of one word, the reader would never know this from reading Sleepy Bears. Only the use of the word "ices" to refer to a treat akin to snow cones indicates that the author is not an American.

Sweet dreams!
I purchased this book because I love Mem Fox's stories. My daughter wanted the book because she has a love for teddy bears. She is 3. I wanted to get her a nice story of a bear for bedtime. I hit the jackpot! I read the book and realized that this mother bear is not struggling with a bedtime routine to get the kids into bed. I also realized that the kids are not denying the fact that they are tired. We can all learn from this mother bear that to tell a story with the kids in it as the star is better than anything! It is a wonderful way to get kids and parents to use their imaginations to send them to a place for sweet dreams. This is a winner of a book and my daughter is going to love it!

Wonderful Book
My kids just love it. My 3 year old calls it "The Cub Bears" book. He ask for it every night for story time. My 22 month old cries when it ends and so we must read it again and again until they fall asleep. Love it!

Works every time...like gluing bricks to a child's eyelids!
This is such a sweet little book, and I have found that it is the ONLY book we own that actually makes my daughter fall alseep DURING her bedtime story! The rhymes are so soft and soothing and she simply cannot keep her eyes open! I she always completely zonks at the end and I end up reading the last page 4-5 more times to insure that she's really out. Please know that my child never falls asleep like this...this book is magic! Oh, and the pictures are beautiful, colorful and interesting. Highly reccomended!

Good Bedtime Story
My son who is 4 years old, loves this book to be read to him at night. It lets him have a good night sleep and he imagines what the bears are dreaming and he even thinks up stories to add himself. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

Simple and Sweet
My son loves this book as a must read every morning when he wakes up and every night before he goes to bed. We love searching for the mouse and the flea and seeing the movement of the characters before they end up on the bed or off of it. The colors and the change from night to day are so smooth you almost dont notice it.

Good Book
Spanish is our native language and we speak Spanish at home so that our kids learn both Spanish and English. This book is a simple story with rather rich language, my daughter got 3 or 4 words she had never heard before. Besides, my daughter loves the story and the pictures; she likes to look for the mouse and the 'pulga' in all of the pages.

La Casa Adormecida
The language is simple and repeptitive, making this a great book to teach Spanish in Elementary and Middle grades. Illustrations are great. It's also a good book for native speakers practicing reading. I use it as a check-out book for English as a Second Language students, to motivate literacy acquisition. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s nap time on the farm, but one un-sleepy baby has a different plan...
Will Baby do the cha-cha? Will Mama flip her wig?
Will Baby dance the polka with a polka-dotted pig?
Perfect fun for young children who like lively stories, this happy tale invites all to join in and dance along. Read, sing, lift the flaps, do a little jig-and-twirl! It’s a toe-tappin’, no-nappin’ good time when baby starts to boogie. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful book!
I have two-year-old twins, and they are absolutely entranced by this book! After reading it to them the first time, they became and have remained simply delighted to shout out the animal names as we flip open the pages. Our copy is a library book; I'm ordering it right now and plan to see if this author has others. Again, great book! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Delightful Dignity
Mem Fox's story about the evening adventure of an older lady is told with dignity and joy. As Lily dozes by the fire, she dreams of her life and how it has changed. What an excellent way to introduce children to the concept that as they grow and change, the important things stay the same, such as love and family. It is also a delightful way to assure young children that though family members and neighbors may be old and seem very different, they have lived a life very similar. In our society, often the elderly are portrayed as a burden and not a blessing. Instead of focusing upon the contributions that these people have made, and continue to make, we discuss the burden of "caring for them." This book is a great way to show young children what older people may really be like. Most importantly, it is a sweet book about a delightful old lady and her adorable dog. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by the fabulous illustrations and the mystery of the "Night Noises." This is a book I highly recommend to all readers of quality children's literature. If you have never enjoyed a Mem Fox story before, this is a fabulous way to find a new favorite author. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A mother tiger wants her baby to go to sleep, but the little tigerresists. "'If I close my eyes,' he said, 'I can't see the sky.'" She assures himthat he will not only see the sky when he sleeps, but will float among cloudsand be cradled by the moon. Not in the least assured, the little tiger complainsthat if he closes his eyes, he will miss seeing the tree and the bird with bluefeathers. With each concern, his mother consoles him with a comforting thought.If this gentle give-and-take were not calming enough for a bedtime story,Hallensleben's lovely dreamscapes (And If the Moon Could Talk)will surely do the trick. Double-page paintings of cloud animal shapes (with thelittle tiger cozying up with the moon), the "big mountains where the rainlives," and of mother tiger licking her baby are utterly hypnotic. Youngchildren who are afraid to go to sleep will learn that "Dark is just the otherside of light. It's what comes before dreams" and that mom is never very faraway. (Ages 3 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Beautiful modern "go to sleep" tale.
This is a bedtime book for little kids that will be appreciated by adults too. The very simple story adresses a young cub's concerns about going to sleep with the lights out (whether the cub is the little tiger in the book, or your own little cub in their bed.)

As mentioned in the other reviews, Kate Banks text is lovely -- simple and poetic; easy and fun to read. But, it is the illustrations that are really special to me, and how well they work with the story that really elevates this book to the level of classic. The illustrations are beautiful, simple and bold. Very little kids will be captivated -- and their expressive power will be felt by adults too.

Whether you buy books for a small child or just collect picture books for their artwork this is a must have.

A beautiful bedtime book!
This is a wonderful book that my 20mo old adores. Its about a little tiger who is scared to go to sleep at night. The mother tiger comforts him and explains to him that he doesnt need to be scared and that she will be right there if he needs her. One of the quotes is so beautiful, the mother tiger says to the baby tiger "dark is just the other side of light. It's what comes before dreams." My heart melted when I read that for the first time and I thought that was a perfect way to tell a child that its ok to close your eyes and go to sleep. This book will be a big hit at bedtime!

a charming book for your youngster
This is probably one of the sweetest books I have ever read. The conversation between the mother and the little tiger is realistic and sweet without it being cloying. The artwork is spectacular--very colorful without being garish or too busy. This is a lovely pre-bedtime book that allows your child to get comfortable with the idea of going to sleep and discovering the positives in what might seem scary about nighttime. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

An Easy Read For Adults and Kids
This is probably one of my son's favorite books, and it's one of my favorite books to read to him. I especially appreciate the way the book conveys the worries and fears of the Little Tiger (similar to worries and fears little kids have!) and the reassuring answers the mother tiger comes up with...

It's also a calming read, so if your son or daughter gets excited reading silly books before bedtime like mine does, you'll want a book like this around.

A Wonderful Bedtime Story for Little Ones
How charming and how appropriate! Little Ones don't want to close their eyes and neither does the little tiger, but with a kind warmth and reassurance from his mother, the little tiger accepts that he will not "miss out" on anything because he will use his imagination when his eyes are closed. Then, knowing his mother will always be near by, he can sleep without fear and feelings of loss. A timely and subtle teaching lesson emerges to satisfy and comfort every child reluctant to "close their eyes" at bedtime.
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One - Three ... Read more

Amazon.com

Although I'm Not Going to Get Up Today! is aimed at young readers, it just gets better as you get older. Only after you've weathered more than few world-weary years can you fully appreciate this book's profound and universal message: "The alarm can ring. The birds can peep. My bed is warm. My pillow's deep. Today's the day I'm going to sleep!" But the rhyming words of Dr. Seuss and goofy illustrations from James Stevenson will surely get more than a few giggles from the old and the young, as everyone in town--from brothers and sisters to the police and the Marines--conspires to get our little hero out of bed.But, as the sleepy boy says, "nobody's going to get me up, no matter what he does." (Not with tickling nor shaking nor cold water on the head.) "Nothing's going to get me up. Why can't you understand! You'll only waste your money if you hire a big brass band." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Lesson Sometimes Missed
As a middle school social studies teacher, I was given the challenge to teach a lesson using a picture book. During my search for the perfect history related picture book, I came across this book instead. The lesson I found in it was one perfect for the first day of class. While the synopsis tells the story of a boy who does not want to get up, I feel it is the last two pages that are most important. In these pages, since the boy will not get out of bed, the mother gives his breakfast to someone else. The lesson I pass on to my students is that I will do everything in my power to help them learn. I will bring in marching bands if that will help, but I can not force them. They must get up and reach for what they want (ie do homework and study) or someone else will get the reward (an A). Please buy this book for your children (young and old) with the lesson that they have the option of being lazy, but they just might miss out on something they want or need.

Dr. Seuss hits rock bottom
My wife and I finally stored this book away, because there is nothing redeeming about the message, and it's not particularly creative in any respect either. The book dwells on a boy's obstinance/refusal to get out of bed for an entire day...what a wonderful thought to put in the head of our children. The kid refuses entreaties from his mother and even the police to get out of bed and go to school, and in the end, they just let the kid stay in bed and sleep. So...the message for my 2 year old is: defy your parents long enough, engage in anti-social behavior, and they will give in and let you have your way. I still have to wonder whether Dr. Seuss actually wrote this one. It's just horrid, and the rhymes are like a 6th grader's first attempt at poetry. Blech!

I am not going to get up today
I am not going to get up today is an exciting, silly story. It is about a boy who doesn't want to get up for school, and he swears that nothing in your wildest imagination will get him up. Seuss, the author, has some crazy ideas as to what would normally wake people up, but in this case, nothing will make this imaginative child get out of bed.

This is a MUST HAVE
There's got to be a starting point to reading with your child and this should be the place. All my kids loved this book, it has humor they instantly identify with and are always entertained by. They never get bored with this one.

Book Review
This book uses very good discriptions, it also rymes and the illistrations go along with the the words good. It makes you keep reading and reading because the words are discriptive. I would suggest this book to all kids. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A SOOTHING, SWEET BEDTIME STORY
Talented author/illustrator Kim Lewis proffers a soothing, sweet bedtime story that may lull even the most wide awake youngsters to sleep.

Harry, the loveable plush elephant, is the focus of the tale. He's getting ready for bed with his pals Lulu and Ted. But after they clamber into bed Lulu and Ted fall fast asleep while Harry just lies there wide awake. He tries to read himself a bedtime story but that has no effect. Harry tries everything imaginable from cleaning up his room to running in place - all to no avail.

Lulu and Ted are steadfast friends, and they help Harry to find his way to dreamland.

Soft moonlit illustrations done in colored pencil and pastel add to this bedtime tale.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (4)

This story is a delight!
My 2 year old loves this book. The artwork is wonderful, the animals are so beautifully drawn and dressed and the story is a delight! It's repititious, which is important for young readers and the story is so endearing. It gives you the "warm fuzzies" every time you read it.

Another...KISS!
As a tiny little girl, my mom used to read this to me. (Until I finally memeorized it by myself!) I don't know if she remembers it, but I sure do. It was one of my favorite books. And now that I have a little boy, I want him to know this sweet story as well.

TEACHER'S FAVORITE!!!
I READ THIS BOOK TO MY 5 YEAR OLD SON AND WE LOVED IT. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS "MOTHER, MOTHER, I WANT ANOTHER" AND HE NOW COMES AND KISSES ME. NOW I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL MY STUDENTS.

Excellent for any age!!
I have two daughters, 21 & 17. The 21 yr. old wanted this book for her birthday present. The story is so touching that it willremembered for years after it is read. Baby Mouse is so charming in his request for another kiss. His Mother tries to please him but he finally gets enough of the parade of animal mothers! I've shared this story by heart with the children when I teach. My daughters have enjoyed reading this book as young children. They still have fond memories of the pictures and the words from past readings!! ... Read more

Book Description

"I'm squished! I'm squashed! I'm buried in this heap! You're hoggin' up my space in bed. I'll never get to sleep!" This irresistible read-aloud is sure to be a hit with little bed hogs and their sleep-deprived parents. Kelly DiPucchio grew up on a small farm, where her family raised horses, chickens, ducks, rabbits, and goats-but no hogs! She likes to ham it up in southeastern Michigan, where she lives with her husband and three children. Bed Hogs is Kelly's first picture book.

Howard Fine is the illustrator of many fine pig picture books, including Piggie Pie!, A Piggie Christmas, and Piggie's Twelve Days of Christmas. He is also the illustrator of Zoom Broom and Broom Mates. Howard Fine lives with his wife and three children in Westchester County, New York. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Hoglarious!
Bed Hogs is a well-crafted rhyming story that flows like the drool out of a hog's mouth. I have added it to my collection of books to read aloud to groups of children. They laugh out loud everytime! The illustrations are amazing, and compliment the story to an extreme! Very well done...this is what parents are looking for when purchasing a children's book.

Very cute!
This was a very cute book which will have any child laughing as it is read to them. I received it as a gift when my baby was born, and even though he is too young to understand it now, I fell in love with it. The illustrations are fantastic, too!

A pork barrel of laughs!
It's very hard to resist this adorable cover. And once you pick it up, you won't be disappointed! I laugh all the way through BED HOGS every time I read it to my kids, who can't seem to get enough. We all identify with the poking and kicking and snoring and drooling that inevitably happens when families cuddle up! It's a perfect bedtime, familytime story!

Bed Hogs is a wonderful book for children and parents alike
I've just finished reading Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio and I loved it. It is a funny story with a life lesson on how much families need each other. The illustrator did a "fine" job too.
I intend to include books like this one whenever someone has a baby shower. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the world’s foremost sleep educators, Dr. James B. Maas of Cornell University, unveils his first children’s book, Remmy and the Brain Train. The author, who teaches the nation’s largest university lecture course, uses his award-winning pedagogical expertise to create a fun multi-dimensional learning experience for children ages 4 to 8. Remmy and the Brain Train is designed to help improve a child’s daytime alertness, mood and performance. The book is a follow-up to Maas’s New York Times bestseller, Power Sleep (Random House and Harper Collins), widely praised as successful in helping adults enjoy a happier, healthier and more productive life.

Remmy and the Brain Train follows a tired young Remmy through a groggy day of exhaustion and confusion. He has trouble with math, spelling and remembering names, and is feeling moody, upset and sad…but does not know why. That night Remmy is visited by the irrepressible magical train conductor, Doctor Zeez, who whisks him off on an exciting adventure through the Land of Good Sleep. Here Remmy learns of the voyage his mind and body embarks on every night, and how developing good sleep habits makes him stronger, smarter, happier and healthier.

Remmy and the Brain Train is illustrated by Guy Danella and includes a read-along, sing-along CD by award-winning children’s songwriter/performer Suzanne Scheniman. A myriad of sound effects enrich the detailed whimsical illustrations depicting Remmy’s world. Suzanne's wonderful "Sea Songs" can be obtained on amazon.com in the popular music section. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Its sleepy time!
Kids today aren't getting enough sleep. It is obvious when you look at the number of children who are being labeled as having ADD or ADHD, when all they really need is more sleep. If you are a parent of a young child, I highly recommend this book, not just for your child(ren) but for parents too. Its important for parents and children to understand how sleep, or lack of sleep affects the body and more importantly, the mind. Remmy and Dr. Zeez help children to understand why they need to get their sleep and how they can benefit from getting 9 hours of GOOD sleep every night. I'm all ready reading this with my 6 week old daughter. The play along CD which accompanies the book is a great bonus which I find relaxes me as well as my daughter as it is played. Enjoy some good rest...you and your child(ren) deserve it!

A fantastic journey that educates while it entertains!
"Remmy and the Brain Train" is an exhilerating ride that will fascinate both parents and their young children, a rare accomplishment in children's literature. It's a clever, behind-the-scenes look at the values of sleep, that is just as educational for my husband and I, the parents of an inquisitive 5 year old, as it is for my son. Through the delightfully fun dialogue of Dr. James Maas's characters we are taken on a nightly journey to the land of great sleep and are cheerfully explained the benefits of bedtime...something ALL parents can appreciate! "Remmy and the Brain Train" is the perfect marriage of a working didactic tool and an imaginative, creative fairy tale. The principles behind better sleep are woven seamlessly into the story, and because awkward textbook jargon is thankfully nowhere to be found, our son actually understands why sleep is important! Just as I was intrigued and motivated by Dr. Maas's first book, Power Sleep, a few years ago, so now is my child by this, his first foray into children's literature. I would recommend "Remmy" heartily to all parents who want to raise a happy and healthy child!

Awesome Book
My almost 4 year old received this as a Christmas Gift and he loves it! The accompanying CD makes it even better with a calming rythem and memorable phrases.

Remmy ant the Brain Train
A very good book and the CD by Suzanne Scheniman is outstanding! It's geared toward children, but even adults will listen over and over.

And poetry to boot!
Maas does a fine job in explaining to children why it's important to sleep. He writes in rhyme, and the colorful funny pictures add to the entertainment.

For adults, I give my strongest recommendation for Dr. William Dement's The Promise of Sleep. Stanford sleep researcher Dement covers everything from sleep pathology, dreams, and how sleep-load even affects your intelligence and internal organs. If you love a medical detective story, or just want help in physically feeling better, go check it out! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Beautifully Illustrated Dream
Have you ever had a brief vivid dream of something quite fantastic that it left you in awe? Dean Morrissey's SHIP OF DREAMS is that in print. A young boy meets the Sandman and gets a fabulous tour of the night. You know how fabulous thanks to Morrissey's lavish and imaginative paintings. It may not be a long book but it is one that will provide an endless feast for the eyes and the imagination no matter what your age.

A Mom's Favorite
As a preschool teacher, I am always on the lookout for that one book that is written and illustrated beautifully. Dean Morrissey has done it with this book. My students and my daughter were mesmerized by the realistic illustrations and I loved the story. My daughter is now ten years old and still looks into the sky to find her "star", she can always pick it out. I find myself buying this book again and again and giving it to friends expecting babies and they have expressed how much they liked it too! This is a book that I intend to hand down in the future so that my daughter's children will be caught up in it's magic. Thank you Dean Morrissey for such a beautiful book. Oh, by the way, I just recieved The Christmas Ship and I adore this one too!

breath taking...
The art work is simply breath taking. The pictures are so colorful, and the story is wonderful. My 5 year old loves this story of a boy and the sandman. As a mother, I believe it is my favorite book. It reaches out and stretches the imagination of child and parent. It is a family keepsake. We have four books on the upper bookshelf to ensure they remain in perfect condition. This is one of those four. I can not say enough how beautiful the pictures are and how wholesome the story is. Everyone should own this book!

Gallery One - Dean Morrissey's Original Art Representative
As Dean Morrissey's international source for original paintings, I do carry a bit of bias. However, this story is one of the best children's stories ever written. The words are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of all "kids" whether they are children by age or simply adults that are "young at heart". The artwork is phenomenal. The realistic yet fantasy style art allows the viewer a smooth transition into the world of imagination. The colors are captivating and the technical ability of the artist and illustrator make him one of the world's modern masters. This book is a must for everyone.

This is really the Book of Dreams
This book is one of the lovelies stories I have ever read to my daughter. The story of Joey's journey through the sky with the sandman is a whimsical, magical, heartwarming story that children of all ages will love! Anyone who has ever wondered about the sandman will be thrilled with this book. The illustrations are beyond description! I have given this book as gifts to many nieces and nephews as well as friends, and everyone who I have shared this book with just raves about it! Share this wonderfull experiance with everyone you love! ... Read more

Book Description

Amy will not wake up for school!After trying everything, her family carries her -bed and all- out the door, down the street, and into her classroom! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Zzzzzzz....
Amy the nightowl stayed awake to watch the Late Show. Then the Late, Late Show. Then the Late, Late, Late Show. THEN she watched the Early, Early, Early, Early Show. FINALLY, she went to bed.

You can imagine the consequences of this: she couldn't wake up the next day. Her family tries to wake her up (her brother even blows her hair off her face with the volume of his voice), but to no avail. What to do?? Brother has to go to school & mom and dad have to go to work, she can't stay home! So, they take her to school in her bed!

Now the fun REALLY begins!! Her teacher can't get her to wake up, no matter how loudly she bellows. She doesn't wake up through gym. She doesn't wake up through lunch. She doesn't even wake up through recess!! Finally, she's carted off back home in her bed where she sleeps through the night.

You can imagine what happens when she comes to school the NEXT day!!

Robert Munsch has written over 20 books, including the very popular "Love You Forever". His fun, fast-paced style will hold readers' interest as well as the bright, fun illustrations by Alan & Lea Daniel, the husband and wife team who have illustrated other works by Munsch.

The illustrations will rope readers in as quickly as the story when they see the teacher teaching reading in Amy's bed (the students hold a copy of "Get Out of Bed!" themselves, creating a fun reflection-in-the-mirror effect that sharp-eyed readers will love), Amy's nose being painted during art class, and the wonderful paintings of Amy's teacher trying to WAKE THAT GIRL UP!!

For any child who is a night owl (or, at least not an early bird) this book is a must.

Get Out of Bed kept us laughing during storytime for weeks!
This book was a hit at my house. My boy wanted it read every other night for weeks. It was funny and showed silly consequences of not going to bed. Kids won't want to end up like this child and at school in there bed! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Little Bunny's Sleepless Night
Very sweet book about a rabbit struggling to fall asleep. Great illustrations.

Great Bedtime (or anytime) Tale!
This is a wonderfully charming tale about a bunny who can't seem to get to sleep, so he goes to friend's house to friend's house trying to accomplish this task. In the end, he finds out that the best place to sleep is in his very own bed.
Wonderfully written!

Lot's of fun and apparently very memorable!
My little boy (aged 2 and half) loves this book. He has it memorized word for word and has kept reciting the lines for a couple of months now.

A lonely bunny finds peace with himself
This book is absolutely fantastic, and a must for families with a only child. The story illustrates how one can get mired in thinking that they need (unnecessary) companionship. For an only child, it teaches him or her that being in their own bed alone at night has the distinct advantage of peace and quiet. It is an absolutely lovely story with some very memorable lines. It is even a good message for adults who think 'companionship' is the answer over a good night's sleep.

A clever, funny and entertaining tale.
Little Bunny is an endearing character who is appealing to kids of many ages. His quest for a good night's sleep as he drags himself around from friend to friend is really cute. The illustrations of Bunny along with his adorable friends will win your child's heart. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

My Toddler Loves This!
We got this book out from the library, and my 18-month-old loved it so much I am ordering us a copy. There are really cute photos of babies getting ready for bed with a cuddle toy, blanket, etc. and at the end the baby is asleep. Definitely will be part of our permanent pre-nap/pre-bedtime routine! ... Read more