When the sky grows dark
and the moon glows bright,
everyone goes to sleep . . .
except for the watchful owl!
With a spare, s... read full description
and the moon glows bright,
everyone goes to sleep . . .
except for the watchful owl!
With a spare, s... read full description
reviews
Feb 08, 2011
Chandra
rated it: 
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! More...
**Other favorite shower/baby book gifts:
In the Night Kitchen
Orange Pear Apple Bear
Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! More...
12 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Jan 30, 2010
Lisa
rated it: 
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” – exc 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” – exc More...
10 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Feb 08, 2010
Cassie
rated it:
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 'on 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 'on More...
Jul 31, 2009
Abigail
rated it:
Originally published in Britain as Zzzzz: A Book of Sleep, this lovely bedtime tale from Il Sung Na follows a "watchful owl" as he observes the many different ways in which his fellow creatures like to sleep. From cuddling koalas to snoring elephants, one-eyed birds to wide-eyed fish, everyone has their own unique way of resting - including the owl himself!
I was lucky enough to come across a review copy of A Book of Sleep, which is due out in the US this September, and bein More...
I was lucky enough to come across a review copy of A Book of Sleep, which is due out in the US this September, and bein More...
8 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jan 15, 2010
jesse
rated it:
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 sta
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Mar 04, 2011
An Abundance of Books
rated it:
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 More...
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 More...
Aug 15, 2011
Green Bean
rated it:
"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
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Nov 14, 2009
Nielson
rated it:
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!
Sep 17, 2011
Lindsey
rated it:
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?
Dec 09, 2009
Becky
rated it:
"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!
May 13, 2011
jacky
rated it: 
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.
Jan 14, 2012
Library
rated it:
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
Apr 23, 2010
Kate
rated it:
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.
Jan 04, 2010
Elaine
rated it:
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.
Aug 02, 2010
Joy
rated it:
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!
May 14, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
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.
Nov 02, 2009
Gwen the Librarian
rated it:
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...
Jan 21, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
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!
Jan 02, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
I love the sweet, whimsical illustrations in this dreamy picture book about sleep. Unfortunately, the quality of the text doesn't match the quality of the illustrations. I gave it 4 stars because I liked the illustrations so much!
Apr 14, 2010
MissInformation
rated it:
Owl sees how lots of other animals sleep- some standing up, some alone, some huddled together etc. I love this quirky, imaginative illustrator, but the text is pretty standard, taking the effect down.
Jan 17, 2012
Bethany
rated it:
Sleepy, dreamy pictures and story, just soothing enough to help baby grow drowsy, and then SURPRISE! everyone wakes up. So much for sleepy time. Only owls can sleep with all that sunshine.
May 24, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
I stumbled on this charmer of a board-book in The Strand in NYC. Very simple story of an owl (who is awake all night) watching the sleeping habits of a variety of different animals. Really cute.
Jan 24, 2012
Dona
rated it:
I LOVED the illustrations in this book. I also really love owls. Those were the two biggest draws for me to this book. It is a good bedtime book, very calming and easy to read.
Jun 24, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Wow. I would like to commission Il Sung Na to design my wallpaper. The illustrations in this book are exquisitely rendered and the story is short and sweet--perfect for bedtime.
Jun 12, 2011
Violet
rated it:
This is a wonderful children's book that is well written and the art is absolutely amazing. Violet loves finding the owl on each page. This is a favorite of our family!
May 23, 2011
Ravis
rated it:
This book has some of the most beautiful art I've seen in a book. You could easily hang it on your wall. I'm going to have to seek out more of her books in the hopes they're as beautifully done. Highly recommended!
Sep 03, 2010
Karen A.
rated it:
Love the illustrations in this book. Well worked surfaces with lovely lyrical detail lines. Nice easy text with simple descriptions of all the different ways creatures sleep.
Nov 29, 2010
Austin
rated it:
Beautiful illustrations, short, innocuous (no dismemberments--though the fish, my three-year-old noticed, lack eyelids)--one of my favorites for 4 or 5 and under.
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Dec 16, 2011
June
rated it:
A simple story about a owl keeping watch under a moon and how other animals sleep. A mother grabbed it right after storytime to check out.
Sep 18, 2011
Julie
rated it:
The illustrations in the book are perfect. It brings such joy and happiness to me whenever I look at it. It is a comforting bedtime book.
