Insomniac Owlet: "I'm Not Sleepy!" by Jonathan Allen

BABY OWL STAYED UP ALL NIGHT AS EVERY OWL DOES.

AND HE LOOKED VERY SLEEPY.

"BEDTIME FOR A SLEEPY BABY OWL," MAMA CALLED.

But Baby Owl grumps right back that he is NOT the least bit sleepy!

Sitting on the limb outside his tree hollow, Baby Owl stretches sleepily and Gray Squirrel observes that he surely looks sleepy, but he explains that he just strengthening his wings for the flying lessons coming soon. He settles back down on his limb and can't quite stifle a big yawn. Mouse notices and points out the fact that big yawns mean he's a sleepy little owl. Nope, Baby Owl insists that he's just finding his present company lacking in the excitement little owls need.

Mouse gives up and Baby Owl settles down again. Unfortunately, his eyelids creep shut and he begins to nod off, just as Woodpecker lands on the opposite side of the tree trunk and begins his morning drill.

"DRRRP!!!!!"

"WAAA!!!!"

Baby Owl is blasted awake. Woodpecker is apologetic, pleading that he had no idea there was a sleepy little owlet on the other side of that tempting tree trunk.

"I AM NOT SLEEPY!"

Baby Owl's shout of protest brings Papa Owl to check out the situation. Baby Owl is furious with everyone for telling him is supposed to be sleepy when he knows he's NOT.

But Papa, as always, knows what to do with an adamant little owl. When he proposes a storytime, Baby Owl snuggles right down.

"BUT MAKE IT A NICE LONG ONE BECAUSE I'M NOT AT ALL SL----"

And Papa Owl can't help smiling as Baby Owl finally goes quickly and gently into his version of that good night.

Jonathan Allen's newest book in his Baby Owl series, "I'm Not Sleepy!" (Hyperion, 2010) as just as endearing as its predecessors, I'm Not Scared!, I'm Not Cute!. and "I'm Not Santa!" Baby Owl is everyone's stubborn little toddler whose wise papa knows just the right words to soothe the situation. With an easy text, an incredibly cute main character, and adorable endpapers, this one is just right for a reluctant bedtime-goer's bedtime story.

Think Big! Wee Little Chick by Lauren Thompson

It was spring in the barnyard, and the wee little chick was all brand new.


This wee little chick was the littlest little chick.


"My, you're so tiny," bleated the nanny goat tall.

Lauren Thompson, author of the wonderful toddler book series Little Quack (Classic Board Books) gives equal time to chicks in her newest, Wee Little Chick (Wee Little). Being the littlest of the little, wee little chick gets NO respect from any of the animals in the barnyard. The plump pink piglet picks on her small peep, the giggly goosey goose gaggles and giggles at her short little legs, and even the wobbly, bobbly calf belittles her teeny-tiny beak.

Wee little chick, however, is up to the challenge. She climbs the tallest haystack to tower over nanny goat, outruns the silly goose, and picks up the biggest seed of all with her puny little beak.

"Tut tut tut," clucks Mama Hen. She's my wee little chick and she's just big enough!"

John Butler's soft, rounded illustrations are both realistic and evocative, expanding the simple story of a small one who makes the most of what she's got with loving attention to detail. Mama Hen beds down with her very proud littlest chick and all the others for a "wee little sleep," ensuring "Sweet Dreams!" for all the smallest small listeners to this short but sweet tale.

Shhhhh!: Goodnight, Me by Andrew Daddo

Goodnight, feet. Thank you for running me around today.

Thank you for holding my legs together, knees.

Legs, get some rest. We've got a lot of jumping to do tomorrow.

Andrew Daddo's sweet and soothing nighttime book, Goodnight, Me is a unique twist on the toddler bedtime story. In this one, instead of the parent soothing the wiggly child to sleep, the little one is the one who quiets his restless spirt, step by step, until his eyes are ready to close and he's ready for his mom's last kiss of the day.

In Emma Quay's absolutely adorable illustrations, we see a young orangutan studying his feet held in front of his nose, pulling up his shirt to tell his tummy, "I don't want to hear a rumble out of you!" and peering over his shoulder and admonishing his backside, "That's enough wriggling, bottom. It's time to be still!"

Finally the quieting process works its way up above his neck. "It's your turn, head! Close those ears! Bless you, nose. Can you smell the sleep?"

Eyes close and breathing slows, but the little sleeper is still aware that his mother is near, bending over for a final kiss for the night.

Goodnight, you. I know you're still there. I can feel you even though most of me is asleep.

This is a super sleepytime book for youngsters, with a quiet salute to moms (and dads) whose loving presence makes bedtime safe.

Sleepy Time Girl: Princess Baby Night Night by Karen Katz

"Princess Baby! Are you getting ready for bed?"

"But I'm NOT tired!"

The glittery crowned and shod tot we first met in Karen Katz' Princess Baby, (Schwartz & Wade, 2008) is back, in a bedtime tale that has the pint-sized princess wannabe a step ahead of her parents all the way.

Princess Baby is obviously not tired. In her trademark full-skirted and white-colared red polka-dot dress and gold glittered shoes, she's busy jumping on the bed with her favorite subjects, her teddy and the rest of her plush toys, when her parents call out from downstairs.

"Princess Baby, did you pick up all your toys?

Did you put them where they belong?"

"Yes, right where they belong!" she calls back.

Actually P.B. has picked them all up, given them a mass hug, and set each one carefully in its own little chair for the next step in the bedtime ritual.

"Princess Baby, did you put on your pajamas?"

Well, yes and no. Our princess has put them on, all right. On her teddy bear.

Has she brushed her teeth? Well, yes. All of the teeth belonging to her stuffed animals, that is, lining them up carefully on the floor and doing a very nice job of it, thank you.

By the time her parents inquire if she's had her bedtime sip of water, she can honestly answer in the affirmative. In fact, she's politely poured all of her subjects a nice teacup full of water, spilling only a little on the table and floor. And has she picked out her bedtime book? Well, "Not exactly one book," she calls back, seating her little plush friends in a storytime circle, each with their own bedtime book in their laps.

"Princess Baby, are you ready for a kiss?"

"Almost."

Princess Baby gives her bear a kiss and she and her bed-ready buddies line up in front of the window to do a bit of bed-time star gazing and moon watching, and when mom and dad come in to claim their kiss, their little one is already in dreamland, her head pillowed on Bear, and her toys asleep around her. Tucking her gently into bed, mom and dad quietly get their kiss. Night night, Princess Baby.

Katz's Princess Baby, Night-Night (Schwartz & Wade, 2009) is a sleepy-time tale which shows the bedtime baby turning the tables on her parents as she beds down her own charges, a satisfying story line that is bound to bring a sleepy chuckle to little listeners.