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The Kitten Who Wants To Fall Asleep: A Story to Help Children Go To Sleep
The Kitten Who Wants To Fall Asleep
Children sometimes find it hard to get to sleep. What if you could read them a bedtime story incorporating powerful psychological methods to help them fall asleep quickly, easily and without drugs?
Psychological sleep induction techniques include: - putting aside your thoughts until the following day - breathing deeply - slowing down - visualizing a safe and peaceful place - imagining a descent with the sensation of sinking - progressive muscle relaxation - using sleep-triggering words - employing the 'infectiousness' of yawning
Such methods are well-known and can be found in libraries or by searching for 'psychological sleep techniques' on the Internet.
This book also uses the hypnotic power of rhyme and rhythm. Songs and lullabies have traditionally been used to lull children to sleep. 'Hypnotic' poetry works in much the same way.
The poems in this book are in the relaxing, calming rhythm called 3/4 time, better known as 'waltz time'. All parents know that gentle, rocking rhythms can soothe a child.
The rhyming is as important as the rhythm. Children love poems that rhyme. For them, rhyming words make poetry fun and memorable.
Just as children respond to Forssen Ehrlin's sleep-inducing story of Roger the Rabbit (the inspiration for this book), so they can fall asleep while listening to the tale of Misti the Kitty.
Children sometimes find it hard to get to sleep. What if you could read them a bedtime story incorporating powerful psychological methods to help them fall asleep quickly, easily and without drugs?
Psychological sleep induction techniques include: - putting aside your thoughts until the following day - breathing deeply - slowing down - visualizing a safe and peaceful place - imagining a descent with the sensation of sinking - progressive muscle relaxation - using sleep-triggering words - employing the 'infectiousness' of yawning
Such methods are well-known and can be found in libraries or by searching for 'psychological sleep techniques' on the Internet.
This book also uses the hypnotic power of rhyme and rhythm. Songs and lullabies have traditionally been used to lull children to sleep. 'Hypnotic' poetry works in much the same way.
The poems in this book are in the relaxing, calming rhythm called 3/4 time, better known as 'waltz time'. All parents know that gentle, rocking rhythms can soothe a child.
The rhyming is as important as the rhythm. Children love poems that rhyme. For them, rhyming words make poetry fun and memorable.
Just as children respond to Forssen Ehrlin's sleep-inducing story of Roger the Rabbit (the inspiration for this book), so they can fall asleep while listening to the tale of Misti the Kitty.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 17, 2016
‘The Kitten Who Wants To Fall Asleep’ is the perfect book to read to young children at bedtime. A story shared is always enjoyable and the exquisite illustrations are imaginative and beautifully drawn and coloured. ‘The Kitten Who Wants To Fall Asleep’ is a lovely gift for a child. One to keep on the bookshelf to be read again and again and passed on to the next generation of young people in the family.
September 7, 2015
Works like magic getting kids to sleep without a fuss. Evenings are now peaceful.
The pictures are cute and the children loved the rhymes.
This is the definitive cure for kids who take ages to get to sleep.
The pictures are cute and the children loved the rhymes.
This is the definitive cure for kids who take ages to get to sleep.
April 5, 2016
This is the book I wish I’d had when my daughter was small and I was struggling with establishing a bedtime routine. The Kitten Who Wants To Fall Asleep, written by Cecilia Egan and illustrated by Elizabeth Alger, is based on creating visual cues and strategies for children to learn how to fall asleep.
This is an interactive book that allows the parent to read a story, while also interjecting their child’s name into the text and making them a part of the narrative. It has cues for parents to be able to change their voice in order to emphasise certain words.
While Misti, the kitten in the narrative is attempting to fall asleep she uses various sleep strategies such as breathing and clenching her muscles, this is also teaching the child themselves how to put themselves to sleep.
The other thing that I really like about this book is the reminder in the beginning about how to promote a healthy bedtime routine. While all of the suggestions are common sense as a parent I would have appreciated the reminder because in the stress and pressure of caring for a small child, and the sleep deprivation that goes along with it, I found myself forgetting common sense.
As I was reading this book I actually found myself following the visual suggestions and the rhythm of the narrative was soothing and calming me. This is a real treasure for any parents who are needing a little helper with their child’s bedtime and is a great introduction to establishing a routine of reading at night before sleep.
There are also other books in the series that help with other problems such as getting out of diapers and learning to control their temper.
This is an interactive book that allows the parent to read a story, while also interjecting their child’s name into the text and making them a part of the narrative. It has cues for parents to be able to change their voice in order to emphasise certain words.
While Misti, the kitten in the narrative is attempting to fall asleep she uses various sleep strategies such as breathing and clenching her muscles, this is also teaching the child themselves how to put themselves to sleep.
The other thing that I really like about this book is the reminder in the beginning about how to promote a healthy bedtime routine. While all of the suggestions are common sense as a parent I would have appreciated the reminder because in the stress and pressure of caring for a small child, and the sleep deprivation that goes along with it, I found myself forgetting common sense.
As I was reading this book I actually found myself following the visual suggestions and the rhythm of the narrative was soothing and calming me. This is a real treasure for any parents who are needing a little helper with their child’s bedtime and is a great introduction to establishing a routine of reading at night before sleep.
There are also other books in the series that help with other problems such as getting out of diapers and learning to control their temper.
May 8, 2016
Getting children to fall asleep can be difficult so it’s great to find a bedtime story book that can help. Really help.
Cecilia Egan has used research on how children fall asleep to create some powerful soporific magic. The overall narrative of Misti the Kitty is lovely, even for the adult reader. I especially liked the wonderful rhymes that Cecilia has woven into the story.
The book also has tips on how to create a sleep-inducing environment for your sleep-resistant child. How I wish I’d had it when my eldest son had such trouble falling asleep!
The book is part of ‘The Kitten Who…’ series, which includes ‘The Kitten Who Wants To Be The Boss Of Her Temper’ and ‘The Kitten Who Wants To Say Goodbye To Diapers’.
Cecilia Egan has used research on how children fall asleep to create some powerful soporific magic. The overall narrative of Misti the Kitty is lovely, even for the adult reader. I especially liked the wonderful rhymes that Cecilia has woven into the story.
The book also has tips on how to create a sleep-inducing environment for your sleep-resistant child. How I wish I’d had it when my eldest son had such trouble falling asleep!
The book is part of ‘The Kitten Who…’ series, which includes ‘The Kitten Who Wants To Be The Boss Of Her Temper’ and ‘The Kitten Who Wants To Say Goodbye To Diapers’.
March 31, 2016
What a great idea for a book. I've been looking for books for my 5-year-old grandson and I can't wait to try this out on him next time he has a sleep-over. I love the rhythm of the text and imagine that this will help him relax and fall asleep really easily - which is the purpose of the book. Love the female central character too! After hearing a talk recently from someone involved in the Stella Prize, it is important for boys to read about female characters in their picture storybooks as well as girls. Cecilia Egan also offers some helpful advice for adults reading the book to children. I think this is a great book with an important purpose.
September 6, 2015
Such a brilliant way to get my little ones to fall asleep. Works wonders.
September 15, 2022
Read ATY 2023: book with four colours on cover
Pros: beautiful story with good instructions
Cons: not only kids will feel sleepy
Pros: beautiful story with good instructions
Cons: not only kids will feel sleepy
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews