I think we all know children like Duncan, those who know every stalling technique there is to not go to sleep at night. When mom anticipates every request from Duncan, he has no more stalls left up his sleeve. When he is still not sleepy, mom tells him to count sheep. The story continues with Duncan almost falling asleep until sheep number 68. This is when Duncan realized how frustrating he is to his mom at bedtime. The illustrations are cute and the expressions clearly show the emotions of the characters. I love the labeling technique. We had to read every sign and discuss it when I read this with my four year old grandson. He thought sheep #68 was very silly. The muted colouring in the illustrations add to the idea that this is a bedtime story and one he would listen to again and again. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

There are copious amounts of going to bed books out in the world. From classics like Goodnight Moon, to the irreverent like xxxxxx. You could go to any shelf in the library and find numerous books about the bedtime process so I was indeed sceptical of Sleep, Sheep by Kerry Lyn Sparrow and Guillaume Perreault published by Kids Can Press. What could a new bedtime book possibly accomplish that has not already been said before? I was completely and pleasantly surprised. Obviously writing from experience, Kerry Lyn Sparrow turns the bedtime frustrations on their head as Duncan gets ready for bedtime. Duncan loved to avoid going to sleep and figured he had enough tricks to keep him from going to sleep for the “foreseeable future”. He doesn’t realize “mom had a few tricks up her sleeve, too”. When he’s settled in mom suggests he count sheep so he does. All goes well until sheep #68 shows up and begins feeding Duncan the same lines he feeds his mom at bedtime.

A super cute story you will enjoy reading just as much as your children love listening. ANother wonderful Kids Can Press story that is on heavy bedtime rotation in our house these days and I know it will be a favourite for many years to come. With a little light humour Kerry Lyn Sparrow demonstrates the frustrations many of us parents have during bedtime by having the child in the story experience them hoping to instil a little empathy in your little one.

The art by Guillaume Perreault is so great in this story. From the highlighting of certain objects in Duncan’s room to the expressions on the faces of all the characters, you just fall right into the story. You will have so much fun checking out all the sheep who are all accessorized differently. I really love how Kids Can Press brought together an author and an illustrator both from the Ottawa area to create this beautiful book. I really believe Sleep, Sheep will stand out amongst all of the bedtime books and can easily become a new favourite for your family. ( )

Bedtime with children is so stressful. I always love to see picture books on the subject. In "Sleep, Sheep!" Duncan's mom has already thought of every possible delay tactic Duncan might use and was prepared for them. Duncan was stuck counting sheep. Then sheep number 68 starts using delay tactics when it is his turn to jump over the bed and Duncan is familiar with these tactics . I love how the author gives some role reversal and Duncan can see what his mom has to go through at bedtime every night. ( )

A great idea. Duncan’s mom has figured out all his tricks for staying up way past his bedtime, and this time she is prepared. But when Duncan says he can not go to sleep, mom suggests counting sheep. You thought this was going to be an easy job, but sheep #68 just might prove to be more than Duncan can handle. A little wacky and a lot of fun. ( )