Baby Can't Sleep

Personally, counting sheep has never put me to sleep and the delightfully entertaining ones in Baby Can't Sleep will keep you awake too. As a speech pathologist with Play on Words, I am always looking for good language enhancing books. First-time author, Lisa Schroeder takes on the challenges of the bedtime ritual. After kissing baby's head, "Mommy says `Good Night!' and goes to bed." Now a tired Daddy takes over and suggests counting sheep. These magical sheep have the opposite effect intended as baby perks up watching sheep chasing fireflies, riding in a jeep, and "playing in the pool-wearing suits that look real cool." Dad is getting tired but baby won't snooze so mom takes over and promptly falls asleep.How many times have you found yourself dozing off as you finish that last book for your child at bedtime? Even the family dog gets in the act, bringing a toy sheep to comfort the baby at the end of her day. Often I am asked to suggest books that Mom or Dad can read to their baby and older sibling together. This is one of those books because children of different ages are entertained on different levels. Babies are attracted to the lively rhythm and rhyme as well as the bright, exciting illustrations in this book. Toddlers relate to the story of Mom and Dad's efforts to get them to bed, and are entertained by the goofy sheep dancing, floating and swinging. Plus, this is a counting book. Two to four-year olds will enjoy this book for the fun of counting, the familiar story line, and clever antics of the sheep. With a three or four-year-old, try to add on to the story with more adventures with the sheep. Provide a first line and let your child finish it like, "eleven sheep on a hike, wishing they could ride a ____." Progress to giving them just the first phrase and see if they can complete the rhyme. Or have fun simply saying rhyming words like "sheep, beep." Because the understanding of rhyme is a precursor to reading, it is important to look for books like Baby Can't Sleep that tell their story cleverly in rhyme. Having fun with rhyme teaches children that sounds and language are exciting. It encourages them to be creative story tellers.

This is the first book my 2-year old child wants to me to read to her when she is settling down for bedtime. The pictures are simple but enjoyable and fit the words on the each page quite well. The rhyming has a very caliming effect on my toddler. This is a great bedtime book. We also read the staples, Goodnight Moon (Board Book) and Guess How Much I Love You each night.

This is an adorable story! The rhyme is fun and is bounces off your tongue when you read it aloud. Each page has delightful pictures of sheep doing amusing things. (My daughter liked the page with the sheep playing in the pool the best!) Lovely ending, too. I love that it's the family dog who saves the day. I can't wait to read a sequel. I recommend this book to anyone with younger readers or who might need a gift for a baby shower.

I expected a cute bedtime book as a gift for my nephew. But Lisa Schroeder's tongue in cheek rhymes are fun for Mom and Dad too. This is one of the cutest bed time books I have seen in years, with great counting rhymes, terrific illustrations, and a happy ending for the exhausted Mom and Dad.

Do you have a baby? Oh, then, I am telling you that you need this book! Lisa Schroeder has created a sweet baby bedtime story. It is in rhyme. It is not too long, not too short, it is just right! You will love the whimsical sheep illustrations. You will laugh at the sequence of events. . .putting the baby to bed, even if it is only a rueful laugh. . .remembering your baby not sleeping yourself. . .but don't worry moms and dads. . . You will not get sick of this book AND it is so soothing, I bet you that your baby WILL sleep! :) Like I said, such an adorable bedtime story!!! Kudos to author Lisa Schroeder!! (applause)