(NOTE: I was given a copy of this book to review but all opinions are my own.)
Sometimes, kids have a hard time going to sleep. (I identify with that and I’m hardly a kid!) Well, this is about Watson who can’t go to sleep because he’s worried about the scary creatures that might be lurking under his bed or hiding in his closet.
But wait! He notices a light peaking out from under his covers. Of course he has to investigate. (A light is so much more inviting than the thoughts of boogey men waiting to get little boys . . . )
As he lifts his covers, he discovers a tented night sky full of stars. Amazing!
Those stars light up a path. Since he wasn’t sleepy, Watson had to follow that path. Of course.
And that path led Watson to see some fabulous things.
Things like creatures hiding behind trees and shrubs. (But they weren’t scary creatures. Phew!)
Things like a trolley that took him through an old city, along a treacherous cliff, across the sea to a teeny island, and up a tall tower where Watson could see everything under the night tent sky.
And at the end of his grand adventure, Watson crawled out from under his covers. And guess what?
He’s sleepy! Huzzah!
And because he was so sleepy, he finally, finally, went to sleep. Phew!
I love this book because kids can readily identify with Watson. I bet every kid at one time or another has had a hard time going to sleep. (Especially when it’s summer and it’s still light outside and Grandma makes you go to bed!)
I love this book because of the fun illustrations. My favorite is the look on Watson’s face as the trolley takes him down the steep cliff to the sea.
I like that the creatures are not scary. They’re cute.
And I like that there are tons of details to look at on every page!
I like the idea of the blankets on the bed becoming a tent. And I like that the main character didn’t read under his covers until he got sleepy. That is so ho-hum. (No pun intended . . . ) Having a great adventure under the covers is a novel idea — and much more appealing for children.
And best of all (to me), is the picture of the author/illustrator on the back flap of the cover. (Don’t you just love the look on his face, his bow tie, and the fact that he is peaking out from under a blanket?)
I highly recommend this book. It will be one that you and your grandkids will enjoy reading over and over.
You can get a copy of The Night Tent by Landais Blair for $16 on Amazon.
