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46th out of 183 books
—
112 voters
A Book of Sleep
by
Il Sung Na
When the sky grows dark
and the moon glows bright,
everyone goes to sleep . . .
except for the watchful owl!
With a spare, soothing text and beautifully rich and textured illustrations of a starry night, this is the perfect “book of sleep.” Join the owl on his moonlit journey as he watches all the other animals settle in for the night: some sleep standing up, while some sleep...more
and the moon glows bright,
everyone goes to sleep . . .
except for the watchful owl!
With a spare, soothing text and beautifully rich and textured illustrations of a starry night, this is the perfect “book of sleep.” Join the owl on his moonlit journey as he watches all the other animals settle in for the night: some sleep standing up, while some sleep...more
Hardcover, 24 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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Jul 31, 2009
Abigail
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Shaun Tan Fans / Anyone Looking for Beautifully-Illustrated Bedtime Books
Shelves:
picture-books
Review Temporarily Removed.
This is my new go-to shower/baby gift! Stunning and gorgeous aren't quite enough to describe how truly lovely this book is. The sweet, simple, gentle narrative makes this perfect bedtime reading. I am beyond delighted to have found this in baby friendly board book format.
**Other favorite shower/baby book gifts:
In the Night Kitchen
Orange Pear Apple Bear
Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!
**Other favorite shower/baby book gifts:
In the Night Kitchen
Orange Pear Apple Bear
Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!
5 likes · like · see review
When I read this to my son/daughter, I like to make the sounds of the different animals. I also point out where the little owl is hidden on every page. S/he is still in utero, but I nevertheless feel like this is a worthwhile activity.
LOOK IT IS BEING CUDDLED BY THE TWO PENGUINS!
THERE IT IS FLYING OVER THE WHALE IN THE OCEAN!
NOW IT IS ON A WIRE WITH THOSE OTHER BIRDS*!
The art is simultaneously classic and modern and I'm pretty sure no child will appreciate it on as many levels as I do.
(*which k...more
LOOK IT IS BEING CUDDLED BY THE TWO PENGUINS!
THERE IT IS FLYING OVER THE WHALE IN THE OCEAN!
NOW IT IS ON A WIRE WITH THOSE OTHER BIRDS*!
The art is simultaneously classic and modern and I'm pretty sure no child will appreciate it on as many levels as I do.
(*which k...more
15 likes · like · see review
Jan 29, 2010
Lisa Vegan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
bedtime story telling for very young children; those who appreciate beautiful illustrations
Recommended to Lisa by:
Abigail
The art from cover to cover is unusual and absolutely stunning. Interestingly, much of it was done with the help of digital computer technology; and I will search out more books by this talented picture book artist. This is a gorgeous book.
The story is a perfect and reassuring bedtime story for very young children, as it goes from animal to animal talking about the ways they sleep, and then talking about them all waking up "when the sky turns blue and the sun glows bright” – except for the owl,...more
The story is a perfect and reassuring bedtime story for very young children, as it goes from animal to animal talking about the ways they sleep, and then talking about them all waking up "when the sky turns blue and the sun glows bright” – except for the owl,...more
6 likes · like · see review
BOOK: A Book of Sleep by Na
CLASS:
Toddler Storybook Art Class
LINKS:
BOOK SHARING:
I read Na’s A Book of Sleep to the children after showing them a few related signs (day, night, moon, stars). WE then briefly discussed the elements of the illustrations-dark sky, moon, stars, animals sleeping, etc.) I then explained that we would be doing a “magic” nighttime painting by first drawing on a sheet of heavy paper with white or very light crayons and then we would be painting over the drawings with water...more
CLASS:
Toddler Storybook Art Class
LINKS:
BOOK SHARING:
I read Na’s A Book of Sleep to the children after showing them a few related signs (day, night, moon, stars). WE then briefly discussed the elements of the illustrations-dark sky, moon, stars, animals sleeping, etc.) I then explained that we would be doing a “magic” nighttime painting by first drawing on a sheet of heavy paper with white or very light crayons and then we would be painting over the drawings with water...more
Sep 16, 2012
Amber
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Parents wanting a good bedtime book
Shelves:
children-s-literature
“Book of Sleep” by Il Sung Na is a picture book intended for children ages 1-5 years (N). The book tells the story of how different animals sleep as compared to the owl. I gave this book a 4 star rating. I chose 4 stars only because of the illustrations. The book itself I would give 3 stars to but the illustrations are amazing. They are imaginative and unique, the pages could easily be ripped out and framed. “Book of Sleep” does its job effectively in conveying to the reader how the owl sleeps b...more
When nighttime descends, all the animals go to sleep, except for the watchful owl. So begins this bedtime book which will be loved by the young and old alike! Charming illustrations in muted tones coupled with the brief text set the perfect mood for napping.
I cannot find the words to adequately express just how much I love this sleepy time book! The illustrations by Il Sung Na are so completely amazingly lovely, that I can only describe them as eye-candy. The horse tushes and 'one eye open' bird...more
I cannot find the words to adequately express just how much I love this sleepy time book! The illustrations by Il Sung Na are so completely amazingly lovely, that I can only describe them as eye-candy. The horse tushes and 'one eye open' bird...more
Perfect for bed time!
Na, Il S. A Book of Sleep. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print. 24 p.
A Book of Sleep allows readers to discover the ways various animals sleep. With the owl as the guide through the night, readers visit elephants, fish, pigeons, penguins, giraffes, and others as they are asleep. Some sleep standing up, such as the horse, but all animals sleep at night, except for our guide the owl. Tired owl finally gets rest when the day begins. Using computer applications, the illustrat...more
Na, Il S. A Book of Sleep. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print. 24 p.
A Book of Sleep allows readers to discover the ways various animals sleep. With the owl as the guide through the night, readers visit elephants, fish, pigeons, penguins, giraffes, and others as they are asleep. Some sleep standing up, such as the horse, but all animals sleep at night, except for our guide the owl. Tired owl finally gets rest when the day begins. Using computer applications, the illustrat...more
Every inch of every page is illustrated in this visual treat! Young readers follow watchful owl in the dark on an imaginative discovery of animal behavior. The layering and detail in Na’s mixed media spreads create a depth you feel you could fly through. The text, sweet and succinct, guides you rhythmically along, while rich yet quiet hues depict how the look of night varies in the different places the animals rest. This is a book to pore over and over. With each read, you may find a new star to...more
Simple text describes many animals who are sleeping after dark while the owl watches--quiet sleepers, noisy ones, ones who sleep standing up, with one or both eyes open, etc. The stylized, illustrations ("created by combining handmade painterly textures with digitally generated layers, which were then compiled in Adobe Photoshop," according to the verso at the end of the book, which I take to mean the author used both original and computer generated drawings ) are airy, humorous (but not cartoon...more
Featured at An Abundance of Books
This is the book just begs for you to cuddle up with your child and whisper the story quietly while looking at all of the sleeping animals and trying and find the Owl in every illustration. I've added this and a few other Il Sung Na books to my son's book wish list for the grandparents. This is a lovely book and one you definitely need to try out, I give it 5 stars.
Read full review HERE
This is the book just begs for you to cuddle up with your child and whisper the story quietly while looking at all of the sleeping animals and trying and find the Owl in every illustration. I've added this and a few other Il Sung Na books to my son's book wish list for the grandparents. This is a lovely book and one you definitely need to try out, I give it 5 stars.
Read full review HERE
"When the sky grows dark and the moon glows bright, everyone goes to sleep...except for the watchful owl." Fly through the night with this wise wanderer learning the ways animals like to sleep. Meet snoring elephants, snuggling penguins and pigeons who have one eye open even when they're snoozing! Spot owl in each of Na's dreamy illustrations, full of moonlit blues, starry yellows and delicate lines. The book ends with a daybreak surprise as the tables are turned and we learn that even night cre...more
This is a stunning book, one that appeals to my artistic side (the side that loves art, even if I'm hopeless at it myself). Il Sung Na is an illustrator like no other, and the story is very sweet too. The kids really like this one, with all the different animals, and as they get older there are finer details to notice.
The text is very simple but the illustrations are deceptively simple and utterly gorgeous - I would love to get them as posters.
They speak for themselves, I think. :)
The text is very simple but the illustrations are deceptively simple and utterly gorgeous - I would love to get them as posters.
They speak for themselves, I think. :)
3 likes · like · see review
Using rich and colorful illustrations, the reader goes along with the watchful owl as it lightly covers some of the sleeping habits of different animals. It is a calming and peaceful read and would be great before bedtime! Although it would be most appropriate for pre-K, it could also be used in elementary when discussing sleeping habits of animals and/or art. The illustrations are beautiful! EL-OPTIONAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher.
I really loved the illustrations in this book!
I really loved the illustrations in this book!
I absolutely love the illustrations in this picture book. I think older students would enjoy them too. They are gorgeous, but they also contain a hint of humor. This could be a great conversation starter for ELLs to talk about their sleep patterns/preferences. Are they light or deep sleepers? Sleep walkers? Do they snore? Do they like sharing a room? Do they need peace and quiet to sleep? Funny sleep stories?
"The illustrations in this book were created by combining handmade painterly textures with digitally generated layers, which were then compiled in Adobe Photoshop."
However the artwork was done, the results are lovely and unusual in this simple book. It looks like what would happen if you took the spirit of doodles and made them into something really layered and intricate. My favorite page is the giraffe!
However the artwork was done, the results are lovely and unusual in this simple book. It looks like what would happen if you took the spirit of doodles and made them into something really layered and intricate. My favorite page is the giraffe!
A simple and adorable book for bedtime. This book follows an owl as he keeps watch over all the sleeping creatures. The illustrations are very unique - handpainted textures applied to drawing using PhotoShop - which gives the book an almost scrapbooked, but also very modern feel. This is a beautiful book that I will definitely want to own when I have children of my own.
Natalie really responded to this one at story time today. She immediately got down from my lap and pretended to sleep (making sure I knew what she was doing and still watching) for the whole story. I liked how this was about sleep, but not a bed time routine book. That makes a nice change for a bed time book. I also liked the style of illustrations.
I bought this for a first birthday gift, sight unseen, after reading so many stellar reviews. Like another user mentioned, I also plan on gifting this book to moms at baby showers. It is such a sweet little board book about going to sleep, and the illustrations are just gorgeous. I am so in love with this little book!
The illustrations are utterly beautiful, featuring lots of animals and themes; owls, koalas, elephant, horses, whale, birds, fish, giraffes, penguins, sleep, night and day, light and dark. However, in my opinion there is little story for a read aloud, but lots for discussion of the enchanting pictures.
Read in Owls Storytime 13/Jan/12
Read in Owls Storytime 13/Jan/12
This beautifully illustrated picture book will delight parents while gently lulling children to dreamland. It received great professional reviews, but it seems to have been overlooked by libraries. I look forward to more books--coming soon--from this author-illustrator. He has a marvelous sensibility.
I had to write this one down because of the unusal illustrations. They have the look of pen and ink papers with collage and paint. The brief text chronicles different ways that animals sleep - and don't - in the case of the owl - at night. I'm thinking of using it for Babies' Lap time.
Despite the blah title, this is a gorgeously illustrated book about how the owl is awake while most of the world sleeps. Might pair well with Wow Says the Owl in storytime. I wonder if it might be almost a little too stylized for storytime crowds--I guess I'll find out!
Il Sung Na created a wonderful and whimsy sleeping book. Most of the pages hold one sentence, but it gives the reader the opportunity to take in the beauty and simplicity of the whole page.
Theme: Sleep
Additional themes: owls
Reviewed from a library copy.
Theme: Sleep
Additional themes: owls
Reviewed from a library copy.
So nice and rare to find a beautiful, sophisticated grown-up design sensibility in a book that is still perfectly suited for kids. The textures are fabulous, the style unique but the animals still very recognizable to young eyes. Simple theme, but with a nice closure.
It is the sleepy palette and richly detailed illustrations of this bedtime book that make it a stand-out. The owl describes how other animals sleep; standing up, on the move, with eyes open or shut. Would prompt some nice bedtime discussion with the little ones...
When the sun goes in and the moon comes out everyone goes to sleep, except the owl. Throughout the book, different animals and their ways of sleeping are mentioned. This book also describes the owl's nights and what it does while the others sleep. Great book for looking into owls.
The illustrations intermixing different techniques are exquisite, reinforcing the sense of rest that the book is all about. There is nothing complicated or witty or lecturing in the tone -- just taking us into the world of various animals as they sleep, while we watch along with the owl.
Mar 01, 2013
gundiegirl
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone with young children or those that like mixed media prints.
Found the illustrations of this children's book online for Windows desktop pictures.
Picked up the book today from the library. Lovely, little time for bed book.
The illustrations are fantastic.
I might buy one just to use for prints.
Picked up the book today from the library. Lovely, little time for bed book.
The illustrations are fantastic.
I might buy one just to use for prints.
Every parent and every child converse about sleep! In this beautifully illustrated book, children can explore the ways that different animals spend their nights - including the owl, who doesn't sleep but instead visits his neighbors!
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Originally from Korea, IL SUNG NA studied illustration at Kingston University in London.
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Jan 09, 2010 04:00pm
updated Jan 10, 2010 07:06am