The Napping House

This is the Napping House, where everyone is sleeping. It's dark, raining and very subdued. First there's the cozy bed, followed by the snoring granny, the dreaming child, dozing dog, snoozing cat, slumbering mouse and finally, the wakeful flea. And then the wakeful flea bites the mouse... The team of Audrey and Don Woods has put together a wonderful, gentle bedtime story pre-schoolers will want to hear again and again. With easy to read, repetitive text and beautifully detailed, expressive illustrations, youngsters watch the ever growing pile of sleeping bodies move, change position and then slowly lighten and brighten as one by one, everyone wakes up. As the book ends, the last page shows the napping house where no one is sleeping. It's sunny and cheerful with a rainbow in the sky. This is a classic the whole family will enjoy and a must for all home libraries.

"The Napping House Wakes Up" is sure to please any fan of Don and Audrey Wood's goofy children's books. The tale is simple, an offbeat version of the classic "House That Jack Built" theme of a growing catastrophe, and ends with a waking bang. The pop-up mechanics are silly enought to bring a smile to any child or collector.

Not Long ago, I was at a pizza party at my High School. A classmate recited the entire story-in-rhyme to me. She had read it in the school library. Then I went and told Mrs Weyers, one of the teachers in the student club, about the book. She said that she loved that book. When her kids (now into their twenties) were little and their granny would visit, Granny would say, "It's time to be quiet, because this is the napping house." Mrs Weyers will be glad to know that it is still in print, because she desperately wants to acquire some copies in preperation for grandchildren someday.--Robert Metz

I've been a bookseller, librarian, mother and read-aloud volunteer and this is my absolute favorite children's book for curling up with and reading to a young child. Cumulative, predictable (something young children enjoy) and engaging, The Napping House is terrific. The child in the story could be a boy or a girl. It opens and closes with an inviting look at the exterior of an old fashioned home (which looks like the author's home, BTW). Inside the house, everyone is alseep, but there's soooo much going on here. The characters are changing positions. The changes in perspective and the light as the book progresses make it interesting. The illustrations are amazing, detailed, beautiful, and at the same time humorous. And the Granny! You've got to love this Granny. She there just snoring, wearing her bed cap, nightgown and stockings (with reinforced toes & heels). She has all of these characters piling up on her and when the bed breaks, instead of looking mad or alarmed, she just looks like she's having a grand time. After you get this book, you'll want King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, and Piggies also by the Woods. And if your child likes things a bit scary try Heckedy Peg. Happy reading!