Sleepy Boy

Polly Kanevsky. Sleepy Boy. Illustrated by Stephanie Anderson. Antheneum, 2006. ISBN 0689867352. $15.95. Ages 2-5.

See. Hear. Touch. Smell. All of these senses are brought to life in the story, Sleepy Boy. This story puts the reader through the relaxing, yet sometimes difficult process of going to sleep. The soothing and calming undertones of the story bring the reader to a place where senses are heightened and the imagination runs wild. The little boy in the story is struggling to fall asleep; however, he is comforted by the sense of his father near him and images of the small lion cub he saw at the zoo only hours before. The use of watercolors and soft charcoals is a perfect compliment to the laid back tone of the story. The pictures do not take away from the words, instead they enhance the words. As the child looks into his father's eyes the pictures and words work together in perfect harmony. The reader will enjoy the premise of the story; however, the connection of the lion cub seems a little out of place at times. Overall, this would be the perfect bedtime story for any restless preschool child.

Kevin Brown, BGSU student