Can't Sleep

Raschka, Christopher

ISBN 10: 0531087794 ISBN 13: 9780531087794

Publisher: Orchard Books, 1995

Synopsis

Unable to fall asleep, a young dog squirms in bed while listening to his family members settle down for the night, and by the gentle light of the moon, he is finally able to float away into dreamland.

About this title

Reviews

PreSchool-K-Raschka's minimalist watercolors feature a benign full-moon looking down upon a small brown dog who's having trouble getting to sleep. The bedrooms (represented by yellow squares placed on a deep blue page) shine like lit windows, allowing readers and the moon to watch as each family member prepares for bed. As brother, mother, and father fall asleep, the lights go out and they become one with the night, leaving the youngest awake, lonely, and a bit afraid. But the moon hovers over the dog-child and promises to stay awake, keeping watch over him as he drifts off to sleep. In the morning, the dog repays the favor and keeps the moon safe. The careful layout of text and illustration adds greatly to the mood and poetic rhythm of this enchanting bedtime story. Some simple lines, various geometric shapes, and repeated phrases are transformed into a soothing lullabye that can be read to one special child or to a small group.
Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Orchard Books
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0531087794
• ISBN 13: 9780531087794
• Binding: Library Binding