Simpson's Sheep Won't Go To Sleep!

by Bruce Arant

Will poor Simpson ever find a way to lull his sheep to sleep? Illustrated with soft pastel drawings that are both silly and soothing. Simpson's Sheep Wont Go to Sleep! is a story for every parent who has put a child to bed and every child who has creatively resisted. Ages 4 to 8.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Juvenile, Young Adult

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Prior to becoming a full-time writer and illustrator, Bruce Arant enjoyed a career of nearly 20 years in the magazine and custom publishing industry, where he held a variety of editorial and creative positions. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Caurie Kuzelka]

1. "Who here enjoys bed time? No one? Well, neither do these sheep! They are keeping the farmer up all night because they won't go to sleep! Let's read and find out if the farmer finally gets his sheep to sleep! I also want you to pay attention to the rhymes in this book, and remember a rhyme is words that sound similar to each other like cat and hat."
2. I used 'prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme'. I used 'draw attention to the language of the book' and also 'foreshadow the problem of the story'
3. By asking the children if they like bedtime prompts the children to share brief experiences of not wanting to go to sleep at night. By explaining that the farmer can't get his sheep to sleep is foreshadowing the problem so that they pay attention to the resolution of the problem. And by telling them to pay attention to the rhymes in the story, I am drawing attention to the language of the book so they are better able to notice the way the author adds rhyming words in his book.

[Nicole Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rhyming patterns in Simpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep is perfect for beginning readers. The cadence of the words could craftily lull unsuspecting readers to sleep. The soft pastel illustrations present a warm and cozy setting. While the humorous reasons the sheep cannot go to sleep become valid lessons for children.

Who has visited a farm before? Does anyone know which animal symbolizes the process of falling asleep? Turn to page 3 to show the first illustration of a sheep. It is believed that when sheepherders couldn’t get to sleep at night it was because they were worried about all of their sheep in the field, so they would counting the sheep to make sure they were all safe, putting themselves to sleep. What would happen if the sheep couldn’t fall asleep?

Opening Moves
- provide background information
- draw attention to the setting
- raise questions to spark curiosity

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute rhyming picture book about sheep who won't go to sleep. Grandma bought this book for me - probably because she knows how much I hate to go to bed!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. I could read it every night.

[Emma Vargo · Rating 3 out of 5]

K-2nd grade fiction
Cute story to introduce children to rhyming words with a fun story and beautiful illustrations. Good for both a personal library and classroom library.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and relatable book about sheep (kiddos) that just DO NOT want to go to sleep! Farmer does everything he can think of, so why are his sheep not sleeping?

[Sirena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book my son loved it!

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, humorous illustrations, a good rhyming story. Really liked this book. Wait till you see the chicken pile!!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with beautiful illustrations!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too cute!

[Jennifer Vondra]

According to School Library Journal, Farmer Simpson is sleep deprived because unlike every other animal on his farm, his sheep refuse to sleep. His lack of sleep gets so bad that he almost forgets his wife's birthday. While shopping for his wife's present, he also finds something that's just the ticket to finally get his sheep to go to sleep. The rhyming of the story and the stylized pictures make this a great book for story time or individual sharing. Parents will connect to the farmer and the children to the sheep. This makes it fun for everyone.

Citation:
Callegari, Catherine (2013). [Review of the book Simpson's Sheep Won't Go to Sleep by B. Arant]. School Library Journal.

According to Midwest Book Review, this book is a colorful rhyming picture book. It has delightfully playful illustrations that only serve to enhance the excellent book. It is an ideal story for encouraging little ones to snuggle up in their blankets. Then they are perfectly set to go to bed and right to sleep, without the excuses parents have come to expect.

Citation:
(unknown author) (2014). [Review of the book Simpson's Sheep Won't Go to Sleep by B. Arant]. Midwest Book Review

As I personally know this author, as do my students, this book is a true delight for one and all. The wonderful rhymes make it an easy read. Bruce Arant's marvelous illustrations add to the word play to create a world you can step into and enjoy. I have to say that I truly like the solution that Bruce has Farmer Simpson come up with for his flock. Anyone who has ever heard any of the millions of excuses for not going to sleep will enjoy this story, as will the excuse makers themselves. Definitely, one for the must read list.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when your sheep just won't go to sleep? This hilarious tale makes for an excellent bedtime story little wide-eyed children will enjoy as they snuggle down to sleep.

Farmer Simpson, like many farmers, works hard all day planting corn, beans and hay. He tends to his chickens, cows, pigs and ducks. But, for some reason, his sheep are a bit of a problem. At night when all the other farm residents are winding down to sleep, the sheep are not. The Farmer gathers them around to tell them it's time to sleep, but those sheep have excuses and prolong the inevitable.

They need a drink. They want a snack.
They have to “go”! They like to yack.
The ground's too hard. The grass is wet.
They'll settle down...but not quite yet.

The Farmer has spent so much time with his sheep he almost forgot about his wife's birthday. In town he finds a gift for his wife and something that is sure to get those sheep to sleep. Can you guess what?

New parents will love this sleepy time tale. Soft colorful pictures done in warm pastel colors are soothing and pleasing to sleepy little babes. Catchy rhyme creates a soft spoken rhythm that will ease tired and cranky little ones off to sweet dreams.

[Donna]

SIMPSON'S SHEEP WON'T GO TO SLEEP! Every parent is familiar with the many excuses given by children as to why they can't or won't go to sleep once bedtime arrives.

Bruce Arant is one of those parents, and with the help of his beautiful, colorful and humorous illustrations, he tells the story of Farmer Simpson's sheep who, when it's time for bed, come up with every possible excuse whey they can't lie down.

Excerpt:

They need a drink, they want a snack,
They have to "go"! they like to yack,
The ground's too hard, the grass is wet,
They'll settle down, but not quite yet.

This is sure to bring smiles--then possibly snores--with this bedtime book :)

[Brenda at MyShelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Simpson’s sheep won’t go to sleep!
They sky’s too dark. The moon’s too bright.
Then someone starts a tickle fight.
They smell a smell. They have an itch.
They can’t lie Still, They have to twitch."

It’s a delightful story about a farmer taking care his animals. The story in is rhyme; the illustrations are original, colorful and amusing. These sheep can say so much with their eyes – too cute.

The story reminds me of the many times I listened to my daughter putting her son too bed. She had the same idea as Farmer Simpson.

Children, parents and grandparents will enjoy reading this adorable story.

[Madison Neuerburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Simpson's Sheep Won't Go to Sleep" is a perfect bedtime story for a young child or even if you are learning about farm animals in the classroom. Farmer Simpson works long hours and at the end of the day he just wants to go to sleep. Unfortunately his sheep have a different idea. He tries many different ideas in order for his sheep to go to bed. This story is totally relatable for parents and children at bedtime. As a class activity, have kids draw their favorite farm animal and give them a fun name! Have the students present their masterpieces to the class.



Arant, B. (2013). Simpson's sheep won't go to sleep! White Plains, NY: Peter Pauper Press.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story about sheep who won't go to sleep! Today Mr. Arant came to the school I teach at to present to our students and read this story. The kids loved it, love the illustrations and rhyming, and followed along. Loved all the excuses the sheep had to not sleep, something all kiddos will relate to. I can't wait to read it to my little one. Highly recommended!

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Familiar bedtime scenarios plague Farmer Simpson. He just can't get his sheep to settle down. Fun rhyming text and cute illustrations end with a satisfying conclusion as the farmer finally finds a way to calm his restless children . . . er, sheep.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this story about Farmer Simpson's sheep who just won't go to sleep. The story was nothing new, but it's sweet.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story with a nice read aloud flow to it. Perfect for storytime or any of those little ones that have trouble sleeping at night.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be a contender for a preschool aged storytime about farms or bedtime.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What kid hasn't come up with a million excuses to stay up? This is a really cute story and I love the colorful illustrations. It's going to be a perfect pre-naptime story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great picture book for the preschool set about sheep and bedtime.

[Serina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super duper cute! A farmers sheep wont go to sleep. Rhyming story, with nice story telling. I think kids will love that the sheep. The illustrations perfectly captured the sheep's expression too.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute - and it rhymes! What to do when sheep won't sleep... A good choice for a read-aloud at bedtime or for story hour.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice rhyme scheme. Probably better for bedtime than farm.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story to add to the arsenal of gentle reads for young children before bedtime. Be prepared to tuck them in with a blanket as Mr. Simpson does with his sheep.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I will start mentioning books that my grand daughter loves. It is a true bedtime story with great rhyming that preschoolers will really enjoy.

[Justine Ridder · Rating 3 out of 5]

2015-2016

[Ms.Wollenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

What will it take to get the sheep to sleep at night? That is what Farmer Simpson has to figure out, so he won't have to stay up late with them.

[Hilary]

Rhyming bedtime story.