October 31, 2022
His eyelids are already below half-mast, and his weary parents—each of whom totes a wide-eyed infant lamb in a front-facing carrier—insist that it’s bedtime. But Sleepy Sheepy, rendered by Oswald (the Food Group series) in fluffy, cloud-like textures, insists he’s anything but sleepy: “He was WIRED and absolutely NOT TIRED!” To prove his point, he bounces through the cool-toned vignettes performing karaoke, wolfing down cookies and milk, skateboarding, and building with blocks. If his determined but unfailingly patient parents didn’t occasionally take him firmly in hand, he would almost seem to defy gravity. But readers will discern that Sleepy Sheepy’s actions are more kicky than joyful; eventually, he lets out a big yawn, and soon, Cummins (Rock That Vote) writes, “His eyelids drooped. His shoulders stooped. His brain was pooped.” Finally snuggled under his covers as a starry sky glows outside his window, he looks truly contented for the first time since the book’s beginning, and even the most bedtime-resistant readers will respect his exhausted capitulation. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent; Emily van Beek, Folio Jr./Folio Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions.
November 1, 2022
I'm not tired! Perhaps you know a tiny person who likes to adamantly declare that they're not tired. If so, they'll feel an immediate kinship with Sleepy Sheepy, a droopy-eyed ball of white wool who is "NOT SLEEPY!" even though it is time for bed (the illustrations of an exhausted-looking sheep provide a hilarious counterpoint to his claim). His heavy-lidded parents (who have baby carriers strapped to their chests holding Sleepy Sheepy's siblings) attempt to wrangle him, but he has other ideas--great ideas! Like skateboarding and singing karaoke! But the parents slowly direct Sheepy to his bed, with mixed results. After one last breakout to grab a snack, Sheepy declares, "I'm a little bit tired" and is shuffled off to bed (without brushing his teeth, it seems). The story is amusing--although maybe not that amusing to parents who dance a similar dance regularly. The blue-tinged cartoonish illustrations are humorous, depicting tired expressions on everyone's faces except the two babies--perhaps hinting at future stories of this wooly family. Caregivers will enjoy making this a bedtime read, and librarians will turn to this often for pajama storytimes. Young readers who love rebelling against bedtime rules will delight in seeing Sheepy's evening escapades, and astute members of this crowd will notice his happy smile when he's finally curled up in bed. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An entertaining tale sure to resonate with those on either side of the bedtime battle. (Picture book. 3-6)
COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
January 1, 2023
Preschool-Grade 1 Sleepy Sheepy is a little lamb, but bedtime isn't easy in the Sheepy household. It's dark outside when Pa and Ma Sheepy inform Sleepy and their two baby lambkins that it's time for bed. But Sleepy lets his parents know he's not ready by bouncing on a chair, riding his skateboard, and singing into a microphone. Pa gives him a ride upstairs. Though his eyelids are drooping, he is "WIRED and absolutely NOT TIRED." He escapes to the kitchen for a snack, but suddenly his eyelids droop, his shoulders stoop, and he admits to being "a little bit tired." Back upstairs, his exhausted parents tuck him into bed, and soon Sleepy Sheepy is "fast asleepy." While the text is not written in regular, metered verses, the many rhyming phrases make this picture book particularly fun for reading aloud. In Oswald's digital illustrations, the characters are lovable, fluffy sheep, and it's clear that Sleepy is as tired as his parents but fueled by sheer determination. A playful picture book that's enjoyable to read, reread, and quote.
COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
February 1, 2023
PreS-Gr 1-Children will begrudgingly drift to a dream land created by Cummins and Oswald. The title character, though appearing increasingly tired as the story goes on, is dead set against bedtime. The sheep's tired parents are willing to try anything to get the fluffy tot into bed. Rhyming and child-friendly vocabulary fill the tale with sleepy hour vibes. Oswald's transitions between bright and muted color palettes create a definite difference between the need to go to bed and Sheepy's denials. VERDICT This could easily end up a story hour favorite and an often checked-out new bedtime classic for not-so-tired kids and their very tired parents; this will especially work a spell on preschoolers.-Brittany McMahon
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.