In March of 2018, I reviewed Sleepy Bird, Jeremy Tankard's newest book in his Grumpy Bird series. This book has now be released as a board book, perfect for the youngest of children whom you may be trying to get to bed. The book is as delightful now as it was when I first reviewed it so I wanted to bring it to the attention of parents and teachers and maybe the very young who are starting to read. Sleepy Bird may become their go-to laugh before bed.
Written and illustrated by Jeremy Tankard
Scholastic Press
978-1-4431-4632-6
32 pp.
Ages 3-5
August 2024
It's late. Why isn't Bird sleeping?!
From Sleepy Bird by Jeremy Tankard |
From Sleepy Bird by Jeremy Tankard |
From Sleepy Bird by Jeremy Tankard |
But, as clever as the text is and as pertinent as its theme, Sleepy Bird will grab readers and non-readers with its bold and colourful illustrations. Jeremy Tankard's wacky characters are as familiar now as Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and Mo Willems's Elephant and Piggie and we love everything about them: their vibrant colours, coarse lines and clean shapes as well as their expressive poses and faces. What is more is that Jeremy Tankard's landscapes of splatterings of flowers, rocks, and trees amidst enormous ground-level stars and a moon provide a surreal contrast to a very commonplace story i.e. putting a reluctant child to bed.
So, the next time you have to help little ones find their way to rest, grab those blankies and stuffies and read Sleepy Bird. I can't assure you that they'll go to sleep but you'll at least enjoy the attempt until they decide for themselves that sleep is best.
• • • • • • •
Boo Hoo Bird (2009)
Hungry Bird (2016)
Sleepy Bird (2018)
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