SHEEP, SHEEP, SHEEP, Help Me Fall Asleep

Young readers are encouraged to count sheep and a host of other four- and two-legged creatures in a work accompanied by full-color photographs.

PreSchool-Grade 2-- In short, rhyming lines and high-quality pictures, this story investigates what happens when a restless child can't sleep. While trying to conjure up some sheep to count, images of hippos, gorillas, and other farm and wild animals take over his imagination. Finally, he rolls over and finds that first one, then two, then a flock of sheep come to mind, as sleep finally overtakes him. The centerpiece of the book is the photography, shot at the Windsor Safari Park and elsewhere in England. Yes, it is lovely, framed on each page by large white borders to concentrate attention on the sharp images and beautiful colors. Ultimately, however, this is a glorious photo album of animals with an insubstantial story line, and not a bedtime choice. --Ruth K. MacDonald, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Alda's breezy rhyming text and arresting photographs make this a most engaging bedtime read-aloud. The bottoms of two small feet lying in bed, surrounded by a bevy of cheerful stuffed animals, are all that is seen of the book's young narrator, who is unable to get to sleep. At mother's suggestion, the child closes his or her eyes in an attempt to find some sheep to count: "I closed my eyes the way she said. / I didn't see the sheep; instead . . . / I saw a very itchy cow / A cat too busy to meow / A hairy gorilla who tickled her toes / And piglets in mud, which they liked, I suppose." Youngsters are treated to close-up looks at these and several other animals before the wakeful child finally begins to see--and count--sheep. From this point on, each successive page features a fetching photo containing one more sheep. Also increasing by one (and offering another chance to practice counting) is the number of small, gold stars that appear in the margins. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.