Baby Can't Sleep

November 28, 2005
First-time author Schroeder embraces a universal parental woe in a charming tale about luring baby off to dreamland. Her playful singsong rhymes seem to suggest that even the job of getting baby to sleep can be fun. Drawing upon a time-honored insomnia cure-all, she incorporates a fun twist to counting sheep (one to 10), "Bet you can't believe your eyes./ One sheep chasing fireflies." Here is where the story truly takes off: in Garfoli's (Zoom Zoom Zoom
) imaginative drawings, a plush sheep springs to life and inspires a host of amusing adventures ("On the street I see five sheep./ Look, they're riding in a jeep!/ Six sheep playing basketball./ Wow, those sheep are really tall!"). The story comes full circle when the family pooch manages to calm the inconsolable baby by producing the toy sheep ("Silly sheep just love to play./ But even sheep must end their day"). This book is just right for the parent-to-be who does not yet know to relish those precious hours of uninterrupted sleep. Ages 2-4.

January 1, 2006
PreS -A tired father counts sheep in an attempt to lull his baby to sleep. These are no ordinary sheep, however. Rather than merely jump over fences, they strum guitars, ride jeeps, and swing from maple trees. After counting to 10, the father yawns, but the baby is still wide awake. The mother takes over, but drifts off herself before the infant can be coaxed into slumber. Finally, the dog brings a toy sheep to the child, who is last seen asleep in a crib. With its lilting rhyme and brightly colored, humorous cartoon illustrations, this book will resonate with parents of active babies. For the most part, the rhythm bounces merrily along without mishap. The pictures reinforce the story's light, fun tone, and older toddlers may enjoy counting the sheep." -Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2006
Playful illustrations highlight this pleasant but forgettable amalgam, which is part good-night story, part counting book, as tired parents hope to put a perky baby to sleep. Daddy counts out sheep floating past the moon in a balloon, dancing, and even playing basketball, but to no avail, until Doggy fetches Baby his special toy--a stuffed sheep.

(Copyright 2006 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)