What do you think?
Rate this book
Naptime with Theo and Beau
It all started when a loving mother posted a few pictures of her son, Beau, and their new puppy, Theo, napping together on her popular blog Momma's Gone City. But these pictures were so "unbearably adorable" (The Daily Mail) and "utterly charming" (The Huffington Post) that it quickly became much, much more.
By faithfully recording and sharing what Good Morning America calls "the most mesmerizing naps ever caught on camera," Jessica Shyba and her family captured the hearts of people all over the world, and these beautiful images of friendship and trust have become an international viral sensation.
By faithfully recording and sharing what Good Morning America calls "the most mesmerizing naps ever caught on camera," Jessica Shyba and her family captured the hearts of people all over the world, and these beautiful images of friendship and trust have become an international viral sensation.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 3, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 26, 2014
To Each Other We Belong
What a beautiful, mesmerizing, and completely heart-warming story. I found myself just staring at all the beautiful pictures of this precious child and precious pup before I even started reading the book. The pictures alone tell a unique one-of-a-kind story and then when you turn the page there are these perfect little sentences that capture each picture perfectly.
"The look on the puppy's face and the way he responded to the kids so quickly convinced us that we had met our newest family member. We decided to name him Theo....."
The readers learns that Theo is a rescue pup.... and that just goes to show you that calm, loving puppies do not necessarily have to be "bred" from expensive breeds. Jessica writes about this special pup and how he divides his time between all the children and basically knows each one's schedule and is there for them when they need him. This just warms my heart. Animals feel just as much as we do and this one special pup has found his place in the world in this precious family that is the Shyba's.
I loved this book and loved how the mother portrays the closeness and the precious relationship between her beautiful son and his one-of-a-kind pup. Each picture is so special and shows so much of Theo's personality. I will have to say that my most favorite picture is the "Cheek-To-Cheek" one. How precious...
I really hope that Jessica Shyba continues to capture these two as they both grow and shares their journey with the world. Theo and Beau have a long life of fun, wild adventures ahead of them and I can't wait to follow their journey with them...
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
What a beautiful, mesmerizing, and completely heart-warming story. I found myself just staring at all the beautiful pictures of this precious child and precious pup before I even started reading the book. The pictures alone tell a unique one-of-a-kind story and then when you turn the page there are these perfect little sentences that capture each picture perfectly.
"The look on the puppy's face and the way he responded to the kids so quickly convinced us that we had met our newest family member. We decided to name him Theo....."
The readers learns that Theo is a rescue pup.... and that just goes to show you that calm, loving puppies do not necessarily have to be "bred" from expensive breeds. Jessica writes about this special pup and how he divides his time between all the children and basically knows each one's schedule and is there for them when they need him. This just warms my heart. Animals feel just as much as we do and this one special pup has found his place in the world in this precious family that is the Shyba's.
I loved this book and loved how the mother portrays the closeness and the precious relationship between her beautiful son and his one-of-a-kind pup. Each picture is so special and shows so much of Theo's personality. I will have to say that my most favorite picture is the "Cheek-To-Cheek" one. How precious...
I really hope that Jessica Shyba continues to capture these two as they both grow and shares their journey with the world. Theo and Beau have a long life of fun, wild adventures ahead of them and I can't wait to follow their journey with them...
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
July 21, 2015
I am not sure I have ever seen the bond between human and animal so wonderfully depicted. The photos are gorgeous.
January 8, 2019
I always loved seeing their pictures on social media, this book is the cutest. I loved reading their story in the back. So. CUTE.
October 9, 2015
I want to eat this book up.
August 31, 2016
What a joyful treat. I wish we all had time to record our children in this manner. The book and it's photos almost convinces me to go out and get a dog!
February 24, 2019
Ooooohmygosh this book is sooooooo adorable!! Closeup color photographs of the author's toddler son napping together with their puppy will calm anyone in an instant. The simple text talks about how "Theo is sleepy" and "Beau is sleepy too" and sometimes they nestle against each other right side up, and sometimes upside down...OMG the cuteness. The author's note to parents at the end tells Beau's adoption story (the dog) and how the joint napping sessions began, and went on for months. She first posted some of these shots to her parenting blog and I guess they blew up the Internet. Really sweet book for anyone of napping age, and their caregivers. Altogether now: awwwwww..... :-)
January 7, 2018
E loves the photos and finds lots more to talk about on each page than I imagined possible for a series featuring the same boy and dog sleeping.
February 3, 2018
I remember seeing these photos on the internet. They are still adorable, but there was no story to be had in this book at all.
June 4, 2019
The pictures, of the puppy and child, are simply heartwarming!
January 31, 2022
Toddlers
May 1, 2016
Title: Naptime with Theo and Beau
Author: Jessica Shyba
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Friendship, Love, Trust
Opening line/sentence:
“Beau is sleepy.”
Brief Book Summary:
This book follows the friendship of an adorable toddler named Beau and his dog, Theo. As the title makes evident, the photographic essay captures the pair when they are at their sleepiest, resulting in a succession of just about the cutest photos ever taken.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2014 (Vol. 82, No. 23))
Beau is a towheaded toddler who naps every day with his puppy, an attractive German shepherd-Shar-Pei mix. Shyba documented this touching friendship on her popular parenting blog with irresistible daily photographs of the pair enjoying their joint naps in a variety of intertwined positions, and her photos received wide media attention. She uses some of these photos to create a simple, accessible narrative of the canine-toddler friendship. The double-page spreads display a wide variety of clothing for the little boy and slumbering postures for both child and dog, all seeming very natural and nonposed. The photographs and extremely short text should appeal to a wide age group beyond preschoolers getting ready for their own naps, including babies, new readers and children with special needs. Endpapers show more views of the napping duo, and a poster with more photos (not seen) is also included with the book. An author's note explains how the family adopted Theo from a shelter and how the joint napping tradition evolved. Though the book is likely to be a flash in the marketing pan, it's an attractive one.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Real life never offers opportunities to sing with birds perched on one’s shoulder à la Snow White or have a talking bear for a mentor like Mowgli. But Shyba’s photos of co-napping between her toddler son, Beau, and the family’s mixed-breed rescue puppy, Theo, do a fine job of tapping into our primal fantasies of deep communion with animals. Shyba photographs the sleeping pair from a variety of loving, close-up angles, showing them back to back, in frontal embraces, and in several variations that involve Theo cuddled into some endearing crook formed by Beau’s body (one photo has the puppy snuggled into the space between Beau’s shoulder and neck). The book is based on Shyba’s popular blog and Instagram feed and has zero literary pretensions: the text consists of brief, literal captions like “Cheek to cheek and bottom to bottom.” Lover of cute dogs and cuter kids will find plenty to smile and sigh over in these ultra-sweet images.
Response to Professional Reviews:
I could not praise this adorable book more, and thus I agree entirely with both reviewers’ thoughts. Not only is this book sure to warm the heart of any aged reader, but it is tangible evidence of exceptional compassion and love between two beings, and that is one of many reasons why it is so special. Shyba’s work is one of the most successful photographic essays I have seen yet.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
A short, single sentence accompanies each picture throughout the book, making it evident that the author purposefully designed it for very young readers. This notion is supported by the text’s larger font size and simple vocabulary; words that the author wants to emphasize are slightly larger in size, as well. The magnified focus on Theo and Beau in each of the photographs allows readers to pay attention to detail and make comparative observations about their physical attributes. The very literal captions of each photo will ultimately aid children in developing an understanding of the relationship between the text and the illustrations.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This text is ideal for preschoolers and ages prior due to the presence of literary elements mentioned previously. As a teacher, I would use this text as a read-aloud and then encourage students to think about their own pet or a pet they would like to have in the future. In doing this, I would ask students to draw a self-portrait of themselves and this animal. They would each then explain to me what their friendship is or would be like with this animal. After completing this activity, as a class we could discuss what friendship means and what qualities contribute to a successful friendship.
Author: Jessica Shyba
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Friendship, Love, Trust
Opening line/sentence:
“Beau is sleepy.”
Brief Book Summary:
This book follows the friendship of an adorable toddler named Beau and his dog, Theo. As the title makes evident, the photographic essay captures the pair when they are at their sleepiest, resulting in a succession of just about the cutest photos ever taken.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2014 (Vol. 82, No. 23))
Beau is a towheaded toddler who naps every day with his puppy, an attractive German shepherd-Shar-Pei mix. Shyba documented this touching friendship on her popular parenting blog with irresistible daily photographs of the pair enjoying their joint naps in a variety of intertwined positions, and her photos received wide media attention. She uses some of these photos to create a simple, accessible narrative of the canine-toddler friendship. The double-page spreads display a wide variety of clothing for the little boy and slumbering postures for both child and dog, all seeming very natural and nonposed. The photographs and extremely short text should appeal to a wide age group beyond preschoolers getting ready for their own naps, including babies, new readers and children with special needs. Endpapers show more views of the napping duo, and a poster with more photos (not seen) is also included with the book. An author's note explains how the family adopted Theo from a shelter and how the joint napping tradition evolved. Though the book is likely to be a flash in the marketing pan, it's an attractive one.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Real life never offers opportunities to sing with birds perched on one’s shoulder à la Snow White or have a talking bear for a mentor like Mowgli. But Shyba’s photos of co-napping between her toddler son, Beau, and the family’s mixed-breed rescue puppy, Theo, do a fine job of tapping into our primal fantasies of deep communion with animals. Shyba photographs the sleeping pair from a variety of loving, close-up angles, showing them back to back, in frontal embraces, and in several variations that involve Theo cuddled into some endearing crook formed by Beau’s body (one photo has the puppy snuggled into the space between Beau’s shoulder and neck). The book is based on Shyba’s popular blog and Instagram feed and has zero literary pretensions: the text consists of brief, literal captions like “Cheek to cheek and bottom to bottom.” Lover of cute dogs and cuter kids will find plenty to smile and sigh over in these ultra-sweet images.
Response to Professional Reviews:
I could not praise this adorable book more, and thus I agree entirely with both reviewers’ thoughts. Not only is this book sure to warm the heart of any aged reader, but it is tangible evidence of exceptional compassion and love between two beings, and that is one of many reasons why it is so special. Shyba’s work is one of the most successful photographic essays I have seen yet.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
A short, single sentence accompanies each picture throughout the book, making it evident that the author purposefully designed it for very young readers. This notion is supported by the text’s larger font size and simple vocabulary; words that the author wants to emphasize are slightly larger in size, as well. The magnified focus on Theo and Beau in each of the photographs allows readers to pay attention to detail and make comparative observations about their physical attributes. The very literal captions of each photo will ultimately aid children in developing an understanding of the relationship between the text and the illustrations.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This text is ideal for preschoolers and ages prior due to the presence of literary elements mentioned previously. As a teacher, I would use this text as a read-aloud and then encourage students to think about their own pet or a pet they would like to have in the future. In doing this, I would ask students to draw a self-portrait of themselves and this animal. They would each then explain to me what their friendship is or would be like with this animal. After completing this activity, as a class we could discuss what friendship means and what qualities contribute to a successful friendship.
March 18, 2017
So stinkin cute. XD
March 3, 2017
I was a wee bit skeptical when I first picked up the book Naptime with Theo and Beau by Jessica Shyba."Oh, another book with cute photos of puppies," I thought. But I was soon enchanted with the text and photos that were a perfect vehicle to show toddlers examples of new vocabulary concepts like upside down, cheek to cheek, bottom to bottom. This is the perfect boy and his dog story for toddler story times. Older children might enjoy recreating the photos with a favorite toy. Get your cameras ready for cuteness!
Read
December 2, 2015Title: Naptime with Theo and Beau
Author/Photographer: Jessica Shyba
Genre: Photo Essay
Theme(s): Naptime, puppies, children
Opening line/sentence: “Beau is sleepy.”
Brief Book Summary: Beau is sleepy and so is his puppy. These two little ones cuddle up together just in time for naptime in this sweet photo essay. Written and photographed by Beau’s mother, Jessica Shyba.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Wendy Miller Kibler (Children's Literature)
Shyba’s presents a series of photographs documenting Theo, her toddler son, and Beau, the family dog, as they nap together. Each spread is accompanied by a short sentence describing the photograph. Some state how Theo and Beau are feeling (i.e., sleepy) and some state how Theo and Beau are positioned as they nap (i.e., on their bellies). All of the photographs are sweet and show the love between a little boy and a puppy. Parents and caregivers may enjoy reading Adoption Story, about how Beau, a rescue dog, came to join the Shyba family, also included in the book. Fans can look forward to a second book, titled Bathtime with Theo & Beau, due out in January 2016. In the meantime, the author’s blog may suffice. This book meets some of the Common Core Language Arts Standards for Kindergarten. Note: There are a few grammatical errors in Adoption Story.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Real life never offers opportunities to sing with birds perched on one’s shoulder �� la Snow White or have a talking bear for a mentor like Mowgli. But Shyba’s photos of co-napping between her toddler son, Beau, and the family’s mixed-breed rescue puppy, Theo, do a fine job of tapping into our primal fantasies of deep communion with animals. Shyba photographs the sleeping pair from a variety of loving, close-up angles, showing them back to back, in frontal embraces, and in several variations that involve Theo cuddled into some endearing crook formed by Beau’s body (one photo has the puppy snuggled into the space between Beau’s shoulder and neck). The book is based on Shyba’s popular blog and Instagram feed and has zero literary pretensions: the text consists of brief, literal captions like “Cheek to cheek and bottom to bottom.” Lover of cute dogs and cuter kids will find plenty to smile and sigh over in these ultra-sweet images.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these professional reviews describe layout and content of this book. They especially comment on the photographs and the beauty they hold. Kibler’s review makes note of the grammatical errors in the story (and she also mistakes Beau for the rescue puppy).
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is graced with sweet innocence, due to the precious photographs on each page. The light text on each page shows that its main focus is for enjoyment of the photos rather than the storyline. Its fun and colorful text makes it the perfect book for children to read and marvel at before naptime, or anytime.
Consideration of Instructional Application: In the classroom, this book can be used to help introduce a photo essay project. Teachers can give students disposable cameras to bring home or around town in order to compose their own photo essay. They can then use the photos to put together their story and share it with the class.
Author/Photographer: Jessica Shyba
Genre: Photo Essay
Theme(s): Naptime, puppies, children
Opening line/sentence: “Beau is sleepy.”
Brief Book Summary: Beau is sleepy and so is his puppy. These two little ones cuddle up together just in time for naptime in this sweet photo essay. Written and photographed by Beau’s mother, Jessica Shyba.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Wendy Miller Kibler (Children's Literature)
Shyba’s presents a series of photographs documenting Theo, her toddler son, and Beau, the family dog, as they nap together. Each spread is accompanied by a short sentence describing the photograph. Some state how Theo and Beau are feeling (i.e., sleepy) and some state how Theo and Beau are positioned as they nap (i.e., on their bellies). All of the photographs are sweet and show the love between a little boy and a puppy. Parents and caregivers may enjoy reading Adoption Story, about how Beau, a rescue dog, came to join the Shyba family, also included in the book. Fans can look forward to a second book, titled Bathtime with Theo & Beau, due out in January 2016. In the meantime, the author’s blog may suffice. This book meets some of the Common Core Language Arts Standards for Kindergarten. Note: There are a few grammatical errors in Adoption Story.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)
Real life never offers opportunities to sing with birds perched on one’s shoulder �� la Snow White or have a talking bear for a mentor like Mowgli. But Shyba’s photos of co-napping between her toddler son, Beau, and the family’s mixed-breed rescue puppy, Theo, do a fine job of tapping into our primal fantasies of deep communion with animals. Shyba photographs the sleeping pair from a variety of loving, close-up angles, showing them back to back, in frontal embraces, and in several variations that involve Theo cuddled into some endearing crook formed by Beau’s body (one photo has the puppy snuggled into the space between Beau’s shoulder and neck). The book is based on Shyba’s popular blog and Instagram feed and has zero literary pretensions: the text consists of brief, literal captions like “Cheek to cheek and bottom to bottom.” Lover of cute dogs and cuter kids will find plenty to smile and sigh over in these ultra-sweet images.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of these professional reviews describe layout and content of this book. They especially comment on the photographs and the beauty they hold. Kibler’s review makes note of the grammatical errors in the story (and she also mistakes Beau for the rescue puppy).
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is graced with sweet innocence, due to the precious photographs on each page. The light text on each page shows that its main focus is for enjoyment of the photos rather than the storyline. Its fun and colorful text makes it the perfect book for children to read and marvel at before naptime, or anytime.
Consideration of Instructional Application: In the classroom, this book can be used to help introduce a photo essay project. Teachers can give students disposable cameras to bring home or around town in order to compose their own photo essay. They can then use the photos to put together their story and share it with the class.
February 4, 2015
The value of dogs in our society as companions, for search and rescue, as modes of delivery and transportation and for use in therapy continues to grow. We learn far more from them than they do from us. Regardless, as we seek the perfect pal, over and over again they single us out as their forever friend. In 2013 a family sought a puppy for their home. One decided their son was the human for him. Naptime for Theo & Beau (Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan, February 3, 2015) written and illustrated by Jessica Shyba will spread a warmth throughout your body and soul from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
January 29, 2015
Review can also be found at:
https://gonepecanla.wordpress.com/201...
Overall Thoughts:
I doubt this will come as a shock to anyone, if you’ve seen this cover this book is adorable. I had every intention to take some pictures of my godchild with her sister Vega (my sister’s Boston Terrier) but my niece scares her to death. She will come by her from time to time but they unfortunately do not have the same bond as Theo and Beau. The pictures captured show an innocence and inspire love for animals and accepting them as a sibling to young children. Just adorable.
5/5
https://gonepecanla.wordpress.com/201...
Overall Thoughts:
I doubt this will come as a shock to anyone, if you’ve seen this cover this book is adorable. I had every intention to take some pictures of my godchild with her sister Vega (my sister’s Boston Terrier) but my niece scares her to death. She will come by her from time to time but they unfortunately do not have the same bond as Theo and Beau. The pictures captured show an innocence and inspire love for animals and accepting them as a sibling to young children. Just adorable.
5/5
May 5, 2015
This is a very simple picture book of naptimes with a toddler and his puppy. Since the day the family adopted the little puppy, Theo, the two have napped together. Mom would rock her son to sleep and then put him down in her big bed. Theo would climb up on the bed and snuggle with Beau for a 2 hour nap. The photos of the two napping are, as they say, priceless.
A very cute book! After reading the book I went online to look at more pictures of Theo and Beau taking their afternoon nap. These two have a very special bond.
A very cute book! After reading the book I went online to look at more pictures of Theo and Beau taking their afternoon nap. These two have a very special bond.
April 28, 2015
Adorable photos of a puppy named Theo and his naptime with his human buddy, Beau comprise the bulk of this book. Readers will be charmed by the different positions into which the sleepers adjust, and the afterword about how Theo came into their lives is sweet. There isn't much text, which some who don't like to read will count as a good thing. There is no denying the cuteness factor here, but I would have enjoyed having more story behind the photos. Still, this one will have wide appeal for dog lovers.
May 8, 2015
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
What can be cuter than a puppy? Or a baby? How about them falling asleep together! This adorable, short, and sweet story is told through photographs of the two falling asleep in different positions (and different outfits). (sidenote: Don't miss out on the photographs on the inside cover of the book!)
What can be cuter than a puppy? Or a baby? How about them falling asleep together! This adorable, short, and sweet story is told through photographs of the two falling asleep in different positions (and different outfits). (sidenote: Don't miss out on the photographs on the inside cover of the book!)
April 29, 2015
I bought/read this simple (mainly) picture book because I am sort of obsessed with their Instagram account. As a huge dog lover, I adore the pure loving relationship between a toddler and his family dog. It's adorably sweet, plain and simple. The story is full of the beautiful photos of these two naptime buddies, and that alone is worth the purchase.
May 29, 2015
Super cute. Babies and toddlers love books with real pictures of other kids and animals, so this will be a hit with any young child, for sure. It's short enough to share in baby storytime, as well. There are plenty of moments for interaction-touching baby's cheeks, etc.-to make it work well in that context.
Read
March 30, 2017I'm not crazy about books that are cashing in on internet popularity, but this isn't just that. It's not fantastic or anything, but it is a super simple picture book with the devastatingly cute photos we've come to expect from Theo & Beau. It's on my shortlist if I do a sleep/bedtime/naptime themed playgroup.
February 3, 2015
Cute pictures for sure, but the story is just a series of captions for the naptime pics of a little boy and his dog.
An author's note follows the story and details how the family came to adopt the puppy.
Overall, this felt like a personal project you might share with your family member.
An author's note follows the story and details how the family came to adopt the puppy.
Overall, this felt like a personal project you might share with your family member.
February 17, 2015
I opened this book with trepidation and once I started reading and looking at the photos, I was throughly enjoying these two napping babies! Adorable puppy and boy.
I really like the Santa photo on the Adoption Story pages. Poor Santa peers through his specs quite nervously.
I really like the Santa photo on the Adoption Story pages. Poor Santa peers through his specs quite nervously.
March 1, 2015
This translation of viral meme to book worked a lot better. Picture after picture of a toddler and his pup causes cuteness overload with lots of "Aw!" moments. The soothing text would make this a nice bedtime story.
April 13, 2015
This book is darling!!! It shows pictures of a very little boy and his puppy each day at naptime. You can see the bond develop over the days they spend together. I think they will be best friends for their lifetime.
April 23, 2015
This is a story told mostly with photos, and they are some pretty amazing photos. I was memorized by these nap time photos of toddler Beau and his dog Theo. At the end there is a page with the story behind the photos, describing this family's search for the perfect dog.
July 16, 2015
Iconic online images make up this beautiful tribute to kids and their canine best friends. An excellent bedtime read for the youngest kids with high quality photos and protagonists who could not be cuter.
October 4, 2015
What a sweet inventive book. The pictures of the little boy and the dog are heart warming. It would be interesting to have a series of books on the relationship between this boy and the dog. I would like to see the boy and dog growing up together. I am reading this book for a story time.
December 17, 2014
From Ali:
****
From Dot:
****
From Judy:
Adorable child, adorable puppy! ****
From Saffron:
Totally adorable. *****
****
From Dot:
****
From Judy:
Adorable child, adorable puppy! ****
From Saffron:
Totally adorable. *****
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews