I'm Awake!

by Maxwell Eaton III

A hilarious must-read for kids who like to get up in the wee hours of the morning and for parents who long to sleep in, perfect for fans of Goodnight Already!

Both children and adults will relate to this send-up of early risers and the parents who—yawn!—love them. Kids love to get up early—really early, before the sun is up early, before the newspaper is delivered early. Parents don’t love getting up quite so early. But that doesn’t stop this energetic, young hamster from trying to wake up Dad at the crack of dawn. Maybe Dad can figure out a way to get his child to sleep in?

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Humor, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Maxwell Eaton III is the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of dozens of outdoor adventure-based picture books and comics for young readers. All of Maxwell’s books are informed by a life led outdoors in the mountains and on the water. He is passionate about sharing his love for the natural world with young people and empowers them to get outside; make and do with their own hands; to think and act with calm and collected minds; and to maintain perspective and humor. He skis, paddles, and writes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What parent hasn't had an excited little tot wake them up at the crack of dawn?

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lively pen-and-ink illustrations with digital coloring enhance a humorous story that will be all too familiar to many caregivers. As a father attempts to sleep in, his offspring is up and raring to go. The sun is nowhere close to rising, but the child has already left quite a mess in the kitchen after trying to make pancakes. When the dad tries to put him off by suggesting he do some chores to keep him busy, he tests the doorbell and does an impression of a cat. Eventually, he does an impression of his father, and the two of them are able to catch a few more z's. But what a mess the father will face when he finally does get up since the child has left the door open, and cats are causing havoc in the kitchen and heading toward the bedroom as seen on the end papers. Something tells me this will be a very short nap interrupted in a most jarring way. Interestingly, his partner somehow manages to slumber on throughout all this noise. That's how it is, though, for some folks who have the ability to block out almost everything when they are slumbering while others like me are sensitive to any unusual sound and are light sleepers, for the most part. Parents will find this more amusing than their own children, but it might serve as a reminder to let one's parents sleep if a child happens to wake up early, especially before the newspaper arrives. Oh, the terror inherent in those simple little words: "I'm Awake!"

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eaton, Maxwell, III. I’m Awake! Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2017. $16.99. Content: G. PICTURE BOOK.
The little critter kid tries to wake up his dad. His dad is very sleepy. It’s still dark outside. The newspaper isn’t there yet. The little critter says that he made pancakes and used all of the paper towels. The critter continues to try to wake up his dad by ringing the doorbell and saying there’s a cat downstairs. The little critter does a loud impression of a cat and the dad gets an idea. He asks the critter to do an impression of him. The critter pretends to be tired and falls asleep. The dad goes back to sleep too.

The illustrations were created using pen and ink with digital coloring. Most of the humor in the book is unspoken, but portrayed by the wild cats in the pictures. There are several word bubbles giving the book the feeling of a graphic novel/comic book. Any parent who has a child that likes to get up really early in the morning (and wake them up too) will relate to this book.

Pre-K-OPTIONAL. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Hamster gleefully announces “I’m Awake!” to his sleeping dad when it is obvious to the reader that he should be asleep. He’s been up to some nighttime mischief; making pancakes in the kitchen. What will the next morning bring, only the reader knows!

Most parents can identify with the father hamster as sometimes our children’s sleep pattern does not jive with our own. The amount of trouble that can happen in a short period of time is also a parent’s worst nightmare. The author has taken a humorous approach to this situation and his pen and ink with digital coloring adds to the fun. I would recommend this book for purchase by any public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eaton is known for his popular graphic novel series (Flying Beaver Brothers) for intermediate readers. I I'm Awake, he ventures into the picture book arena. This time a wide awake young critter wonders why his dad is not wake and engages in a series of behaviors to try to get dad awake. Told almost entirely with talking bubbles, labels, and sound words; I'm Awake might be a fun mentor text to help young writers to look at dialogue, onomatopoeia, and environmental print. I'm not sure why there are so many books about sleeping and napping for young readers but I guess the market always embracing a book that can be used as a bedtime read aloud at home.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I saw a meme about this yesterday on Facebook? Kids seem to always be awake when it is inappropriate! Both children and adults will relate to this send-up of early risers and the parents who—yawn!—love them. Kids love to get up early—really early, before the sun is up early, before the newspaper is delivered early. Parents don’t love getting up quite so early. But that doesn’t stop this energetic, young hamster from trying to wake up Dad at the crack of dawn. Maybe Dad can figure out a way to get his child to sleep in?

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every parent will be able to relate to this humorous story about a child asking his father (parent) a dozen questions early in the morning when dad just wants to sleep in. Said child relates all his doings since he got up early, like making pancakes. What dad can't see is how messy he's left the kitchen!

[Alida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Flying Beaver Brothers series (I've read them all) and I recommend them all the time to kids looking for something else to read (I'm so tired of Pokemon). This one had me laughing out loud and I love the drawing style. Reminds me of all the mornings that I bothered my parents when it was Christmas or my birthdays. I really must call them and apologize....

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute and funny picture book that many parents and children will be able to relate to. I loved the illustrations, and the dichotomy between the quiet upstairs bedroom and the chaos going on in the kitchen. I just wish the author/illustrator would have shown us the parents' reactions when they discovered what was happening while they had been sleeping.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children will think this story is hilarious as parents will groan and relate all too well. A young hamster wakes his dad up before the paper is even at the house. He's already made pancakes and found out they're out of paper towels. And there might be a cat in the house; he can't remember. Finally Dad asks the youngster if he can do a Dad impression, which he does and falls asleep like a charm.

[Abby Peskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute book for kids about a little hamster who wakes up in the middle of the night and cannot fall back to sleep so he keeps waking up his dad to tell him about all the mischief he got into during the night. Most preschool kids will laugh out loud with both the illustrations and text in this book as the dad tries to get back to sleep.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parents will recognize these experiences if they have a child who is up very early in the morning and they just want to sleep. The pages are thin, but they are brightly colored and funny, so that makes up for it. Designed a bit like a graphic novel, it is a good introduction to that genre, as well.

[Katie Dicesare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh and I think kids will too. Little hamster is filled with energy trying to wake his parents while they are more interested in sleep. It is nice to have a picture book and graphic novels to share by Maxwell Eaton III.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very funny book about a child who is awake way too early and is getting into lots of trouble. Parents will get a good laugh out of this one. The book size is too small to share for storytime and would be better one-on-one.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun and funny book. I really found it quite amusing, and I think that parents did as well. Children particularly seemed to enjoy the scenes of the messy kitchen, and making doorbell sounds.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annoying young rodent won't let his father sleep.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilariously funny picture book that little ones and parents will equally enjoy.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little guinea pig or hamster (not up on my rodents) tries to wake his sleepy dad.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes us through a typical Saturday morning with energetic young children. Poor Dad.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about guinea pig toddler who rises waaaay too early! Big bright illustrations are add lots of fun details.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

(At risk of sounding like a stick in the mud) The story was fun from a child's perspective. From an adult's perspective, the child/hamster is a brat.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, with charming pictures.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute picture book with illustrations that are like a graphic novel. I feel sorry for the dad - his kid has a lot of energy!

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

So silly and fun!

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, high-energy read about a little (annoying!) hamster who wants the whole house to be awake (including quite a few party-crashing kitties).

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Behold the joys of parenting

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids will like this and parents will totally relate.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! Mostly because the mom stays in bed and dad is forced to deal with the rambunctious little hamster.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad gets awakened very early by an enthusiastic young guinea pig/hamster/groundhog (?). Very silly and fun!