Shhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping
What’s inside...
A young child is encouraged to go to sleep by the thought of everyone else sleeping, from teacher to baker to postman. The story explores the different types of beds and sleeping environments of various people like farmers, bakers, and grocers, emphasizing that regardless of the setup, everyone needs rest after the day's activities. The book probes into imaginative sleeping setups such as the farmer sleeping on hay, the baker on doughy bread, and the grocer on a bed of lettuce. Through whimsy and humor, Julie Markes and David Parkins convey that despite different ideas of comfort, everyone, big or small, needs sleep when the day concludes.
Age
1-3
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Child
Mother
Discussion points
Why do you think everyone in the town is sleeping?
How do you feel when you see all the different characters sleeping in their unique ways?
What do you think happens when everyone wakes up?
Which sleeping character was your favorite and why?
How do you think the story would change if one of the characters couldn’t fall asleep?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a soft and soothing voice to mimic the quietness of the sleeping town, enhancing the book’s calming effect.
Pause after each character is introduced to ask your child how they think that character likes to sleep, integrating their imagination into the story.
Discuss the importance of sleep and establish connections with your child’s own bedtime routine.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the story.
After reading, gently discuss the quietness and how everyone in the book was asleep, relating it to the peacefulness of their own environment during bedtime.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the value of quiet and rest
Explanation: The story shows various characters in the community being asleep, emphasizing the importance of rest.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate quiet times at home or school, understanding that rest is crucial for everyone.
Example Lesson: Recognizing routines
Explanation: Each character in the book has a specific bedtime ritual or sleeping environment, teaching children about the diversity of nighttime routines.
Real-World Application: This understanding can help children develop and stick to their bedtime routines, recognizing it as a normal part of daily life.
Example Lesson: Learning respect for others
Explanation: The book highlights the need to be considerate of others while they are sleeping by maintaining quiet.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being mindful of their noise levels during others’ rest times, fostering an environment of respect and consideration.
Example Lesson: Exploring roles in the community
Explanation: By featuring various professionals and their sleep habits, children see the human side of community members.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think about and appreciate the different roles people play in their community, enhancing their social awareness.