Sleep Well, Siba & Saba

by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl, Sandra van Doorn (Illustrator)

Forgetful sisters Siba and Saba are always losing something. Each night, they dream about the things they have lost that day. But one night, their dreams begin to reveal something entirely unexpected . . . .

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Cultural, Family, Childrens, Fiction, Uganda

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really liking this publishing company. They are definitely incorporating great cultures into their picture books and I definitely feel as though that is important. Children all across the world want to see themselves in books and that is exactly what they are doing. This is the second book that I've read from them and it was really good. It definitely focuses on building courage and strength not to focus on the things that we have lost in life but to think about the bright things we have in our future. That is such a great lesson for children and adults. If you haven't picked up anything from this publisher you should definitely give them a try.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sisters Siba and Saba were always losing things. Every day they would lose something, and every night, after their father sent them to bed with the words "Sula bulungi, Siba and Saba" (Sleep Well, Siba and Saba), they would dream of what they lost. Until the night, that is, that they dreamed of a silver shilling and a school uniform - dreams with a significance for their future...

Born in the United States to Ugandan immigrant parents, first-time picture-book author Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl wrote Sleep Well, Siba & Saba as a means of sharing the beauty of Uganda with her own daughter. The cultural details here - both textual and visual - work to do just that. The story is sweet, as Siba and Saba lose and find things, in and out of their dreams, while the text itself has a nice, gentle rhythm to it. The artwork, done by expatriate French illustrator Sandra van Doorn, is absolutely lovely, with a gorgeous color palette, and appealing, stylized figures. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with a Ugandan cultural setting, or for children's stories about sisters, forgetting things, and/or dreams.

[Joseph Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two kids who are one and three, and I regularly check out 10 or 15 books from the library in batches. I usually use Kirkus or other reviews so they're all well-reviewed books. This is one of the best.

The primary reasons for me are the writing, which is fun and interesting to read aloud, and the illustrations and the overall gestalt of the text which combine for a whimsical magical realism.

Like the title, the text of the book is mostly alliterative based upon the letter "s". You might think that reading an entire book that mostly begins it as tiresome, this isn't the case. The letter S, it turns out, it has an airy wispy quality to it that Isdahl uses to give an dreamy feel to the text, which coincidentally deals significantly with the sisters' dreams. Van Doorn's pastel illustrations complete the fluff-cloud dream effect.

There is, of course, the added bonus that you will learn Ugandan geography trivia, although I feel like the book could've done readers a small service by putting the word "Uganda" somewhere so those a little slow on geography don't have to Google the book in order to be able to know where it is set, if you are not able to infer it from the Kumpala sign or the references to the Ssese islands and other tourist locations in the country.

The closing of the book, in which the sisters stop dreaming of things that they have lost, and start looking forward to their future, comes across as a (subtle, if you aren't looking for it) parable for Africa, coming out of a few centuries of colonial exploitation.

Overall a lovely book that I'm happy when my daughter picks it to read at bedtime.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is beautiful. I love it

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrated setting, with all the details, for example the mosquito netting over the bed. The story seems odd to me, but maybe it's just because I haven't read enough (anything?) from Uganda (?) before.

No author's note to help us poor ignorant Americans, either.

[Akoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book, inside and out, words and illustrations!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical realism in a picture book? Yes please. So unique, in both text and illustration. And the sister relationship is a gem.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The loss prone sisters dream of the things gone astray, until one night, they dream of things to come.

[Julayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family loves this book. We all enjoy reading this book again and again. The storyline is so sweet, highlighting the bond between the sisters, the illustrations are striking and all of it supports an important message about looking forward to what the future will bring.

[Shayla Ware · Rating 2 out of 5]

SIba and Saba is a picture book for children age 4-6. This book is about two beautfiful girls from Uganda. Everyday the sisters lose something and then dream about what they have lost in their sleep. One night they dream of items they have never lost before and the girls realize the things they were dreaming about were to better their future. I really wanted to like this book, but it did not make much sense to be for it to be a children's book. I do not think this book would be understood by the age group it is written for. It seemed as if the author was reaching too far and should have added much more detail. I rated this book a 2 out of 5 because of the pictures the amount of detail they put into the girls, animals, grass, even the smallest items had a ton of details. The bees were all different each bee had a different line thickness for their stripes. Each page had a water color background that helped to bring out the colors in the actual images. This book had a lot of cultural aspects to it theres a scene where the girls are on the bus and you can see traditional African garments and textures. The women had head wraps and were carrying their baskets on their heads. I think this book would be great for children that are dependents of African people meaning mother, father, grandparents. Being able to see apart of them in a story is very special and needs to happen more. I would use this book in my class during independent reading because the story line is so hard for children to understand I wouldn't use it for any material .

[Calynn McInerney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleep Well Siba and Saba was such a great read. First of all, it was amazing to read a children's story that allowed the reader to have a window into another culture as the story was based in Uganda. “Mirrors Windows and Sliding Glass Doors” discusses how important it is for children to see stories of their own backgrounds represented and to have images to see that look like them. Also, it is important for children of other backgrounds (the minority included) to see other cultures represented in literature. The story really incorporated the culture and did not feel like tokenism at all as it was written by an Author who was born in the United States to Ugandian parents. The Author incorporated scenes in areas of Uganda and used their native language in the father's nighttime song. The story was also a fun read with alliteration of the “s” sound throughout it. The s sounds made the story carry a lullaby-like tone, which made it super interesting as it is based around the sisters sleeping. Like most stories in this genre the children learned about the universal importance of their relationship with one another and to focus on the intangible things.

[Kirsten - Children's Library Lady]

Ugandan sisters Siba and Saba often lose their belongings only to rediscover lost items in their dreams. Over time, they dream of items they haven't lost and realise they are part of a bright future.

Sleep Well, Siba and Saba explores themes of hope, the power of dreams, and looking forward rather than dwelling on losses.

Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Siba and Saba keep losing their things? How does this drive the story forward?
2. How do Siba and Saba's dreams influence their feelings and actions during the day?
3. Identify elements in the illustrations or text that highlight Ugandan culture.
4. What do Siba and Saba's dreams say about their hopes and aspirations?
5. How do the sisters' dreams eventually lead them to understand their destinies?
6. How does Siba and Saba's relationship contribute to the book's message about family and support in achieving one's dreams?

[Dest · Rating 5 out of 5]

"'Sula bulungi, Siba and Saba,' Papa would sing before sending the sisters to sleep. 'Sleep well, Siba and Saba.' And in their sleep between soft sheets and dreams of sweets they would find all the things they had lost."

Soothing sibilant text tells the story of sisters who lose things every day and then dream about those lost things. Then one night they start dreaming of things they'll find instead of things they've lost.

The illustrations are as soothing and beautiful as the text. A wonderful bedtime story.

[Brooke Dotson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has very beautiful illustrations. I really enjoyed listening to this book on YouTube by Adjoa Andoh | Tata Storytime. She had good background noises and she brought the text alive. This book is about two sisters who always looses things until one night they had a dream, and their dreams were more about their future. They're father sang them a song when they went to sleep and Andohs voice made me feel so connected while listening. I like how this book is diverse and young girls can relate to it.

[Fairytalesforallchildren · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who love to increase the curiosity and develop the fantasy in their child, Sleep well, Siba & Saba, fits for them. 🛏
Beautiful poetically written story about two sisters who constantly forget their things somewhere, on the market or in the field and after they find them in their dreams. This metaphor can gives children the hope to believe in their dreams, fantasy or in them selves to became or to do anything that they wish. Colorful illustrations perfectly accompain the dreamy story about hope, family love and better future. Lantana as always didn't disappointed.

[Shamekia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is adorable! Lovely illustrations, great use of alliteration, and a great choice for storytime. It's still so rare to find picture books that feature brown children that aren't heavy in tone or about the Civil Rights Era. It's even harder to find picture books that aren't filled to the brim with words. This is great because it's a cute story and not too long for storytime (so kids won't get too wiggly). It's also a great pick for bedtime reading as well.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honor book for the Children's Africana Book Awards.

Siba & Saba tend to lose things, and then dream about what they lost that day. However, one day they dream about something they haven't lost and dream about their future. Wonderful incorporation of things Ugandan and a nice quiet rhythm to text. Nice universal theme of not reqretting, but dreaming about the special things in their futures.

[Judi Paradis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely picture book with striking illustrations. Sisters Siba and Saba dream every night about all the things they've misplaced during the day. But one night they dream about things they don't remember losing, and a new chapter of their lives begins. The book is set in Nigeria, and the illustrations are busy and colorful, giving the reader A LOT to look at and notice. Highly recommended for grades K-2.

[Randi Triantafillou · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and I think it is an excellent read for young children, especially children who have a sibling because this story is about the bond to sisters have with one another. This story is very emotional and appealing to family, this story is relatable to real life. This was an enjoyable read and I would recommend this book. By: Randi Triantafillou

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two forgetful sisters long for their lost belongings, until they see the value in dreaming and planning for their future. Set in Uganda, this story has a lot of alliteration and some repetition, good for young readers. The illustrations are full of bright colors and eye-catching patterns. The soft sounds of the book made me smile, and make for a perfect bedtime story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more! The storyline has a really nice set up with colorful characters and a delightful setting. However, I wasn't sure what to make of the ending and the transition from life on the grasslands to life in the city.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the "s" words used throughout the book give it a shushing, calming, sussurating feel, which fits in well with the theme of dreaming. Really thought-provoking, too - do you focus more on things that are lost & gone, or things that you haven't found yet?

[charlene.librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celebrating Lantana Publishing's values, this whimsically-illustrated book set in Uganda is a lovely exploration of dreams and lost things and the future of two young girls in Africa (or anywhere, really).

[Winfred Bent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read for children 3-7. It is a book that your children will want to read over and over again. my daughter loves it.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a pretty book. Two forgetful sisters dream of all of the items they've lost, until one day they start dreaming of the future instead. Cute.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever story about sisters who lose everything. One night their dreams change and they start dreaming of the future.

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Uganda, Sisters + Dreams + Money + Education = Possibilities

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such rich illustrations and a lovely story that’s simple and direct.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the pictures and the message of the story.

[Birungi Ives · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the book. I loved reading it to my 20 month old niece. She loved it too!