I think I have a first going on this week! I have THREE giveaways taking place on my blog! Click HERE to enter to win a copy of the AWESOME book “The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw” by Christopher Healy – Click HERE to enter to win a 5-book prize pack from Disney Press AND NOW YOU GET A CHANCE TO WIN MY PPBF PICK!!! Just comment and tell me you want to be in the drawing! Next week, I’ll put all the names in a hat and Josie will pick one out. Sorry – it’s only open to U.S. residents.
Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because everyone, sometime in their life, could not, would not fall asleep. 🙂
Chengdu Could Not, Would Not Fall Alseep
Written and Illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
48 pages – ages 3+
Published by Disney-Hyperion on May 6, 2014
Theme/Topic- Sleeplessness
Genre- Children’s Fiction
Opening and Synopsis-
Opening – “It was late and it was quiet.”
Synopsis from the publisher- “High in his tree a young panda named Chengdu lies awake, even though everyone around him is quietly sleeping. He tosses and he turns. He scrunches and he squirms. But it’s not until he finds the perfect spot-atop his brother, Yuan-that he finds rest. But now Yuan can’t sleep.“
Why I liked this book- First of all, just look at Chengdu! Can’t you understand how he feels? He wants to fall asleep, but he can’t! Mr. Saltzberg really draws you into feeling Chengdu’s problem. We really care for Chengdu. He is a cute little panda and he is deprived of sleep! I get tired just thinking about it. The illustrations are adorable. I like how Mr. Saltzberg drew the details of the bamboo forest and the coloring in it. I also like that there are some flap pages in the book. It makes it interactive and fun. You are going to love Chengdu!
Activities and Resources-
About the author– Barney Saltzberg is the author and illustrator of close to 50 books for children, including Beautiful Oops!, Good Egg, Cornelius P. Mud , Crazy Hair Day and the bestselling Touch and Feel Kisses series with over 800,000 copies in print. Additionally, he’s recorded four CDs of music for children. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, three dogs, and a pond full of fish.
Mr. Saltzberg just posted early Chengdu illustrations on his blog to show his illustration process. It’s cool to see. Click HERE.
Scholastic has an article on what to do for your sleepless middle-grade child (Click HERE) and for toddlers (Click HERE).
Check out this post from PargmaticMom on bedtime yoga to help kids go to sleep. Ms. Wenjen reviews a yoga picture book that may help your little Chengdu fall asleep (Click HERE)!
Check out the book’s trailer! Chengdu is SO CUTE!!!
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
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Categories: Age 1-5
looks like a winner. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thank you for your comment! 🙂
Awww…I don’t read many picture books anymore, but this one is so cute! (I’ll skip the contest in favor of those with kids who would enjoy it more.)
Isn’t Chengdu SO cute! 🙂 Thanks Mrs. Isenhoff!
Oh, oh, oh! I’ve gotta read this! Sooooooo cute! Perfect trailer!
Makes you sleepy doesn’t it? 😉
Just found this at the bookstore yesterday and you are right!
Glad you love it! 😀
Awww – this looks SO cute. Must read! thanks for sharing…..
Thanks for your comment Ms. Heavenrich! 🙂
Beautiful Oops! is one of my very favorite books! That Mr Saltzberg knows how to tell a story! I do love Chengdu already! Thanks for sharing!
He writes some great books – doesn’t he? 🙂
I love all of Mr. Saltzberg’s books! Chengdu is adorable. I’m very partial to pandas! I’d love to win this book, so please include me in the drawing. Great review, SuperKid!
You are in for the drawing! 🙂
This looks darling 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your comment! 🙂
I can so relate to that Panda! How cute what a perfect expression on his face. That’s clever illustrating.
You’d love all the illustrations! Chengdu is SO cute! 🙂
Have already put this one on order. What a great bedtime book! The cover got me. Also enjoyed looking at Barney Saltzberg’s drawing process. Darling video trailer.
I really liked the illustration article Ms. Saltzberg posted. I like seeing how artists do that. 🙂
This look so lovely. I guessed it must be a panda from the name Chengdu. His face does indeed look like that of a young insomniac. Super trailer.
The illustrations add a lot to the story. Thanks Miss Marple!
Loved that trailer! The book looks so cute!
Thanks Ms. Klostermann! 🙂
Erik…you always do a fantastic review…love the trailer. 🙂
hank you for the nice compliment Ms. Kirkfield! The trailer for the book is great! 🙂
I agree with Vivian, you do a wonderful review. Love this cute book, and am happy to leave the drawing to those in USA. Have a great weekend Erik.
Thank you Ms. Tulloch – sorry about the U.S. only thing (I’m not the one sending it out). I hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
So many children are afraid to fall asleep! Gorgeous story. I love the description.
Good news is – I don’t have a problem with that! 🙂 Maybe it’s because I get up so early!
The trailer is great. Nice review. Would love to win it.:)
You are in it to win it! 😀
OK, I know yawning is contagious, but from watching a video of a cute, fictional panda?! I yawned! lol
I love pandas and, unfortunately, can relate to his insomnia : / This looks like a really enjoyable book for ANY age–probably more so for adults! lol Would love to win it for my insomniac boyfriend, to tell you the truth! 🙂
At least your review good enough to not put me to sleep 😉 hehehe
Just reading the book makes you sleepy! You are in for the drawing!
HA HA! I’m glad I didn’t put you to sleep!
Oh my gosh, is he ever cute. Chengdu wins the cuteness contest hands down! I must get this book!
Isn’t he cute?!? 🙂
Oh, I know that panda’s expression. It’s the same one I have when I lie awake.
That explains a lot… 😉
The book cover of Chengdu reminds me a little bit of Sparky. I would most likely hunt these two picturebooks down in our library and do a 2-in-1 review of them. Thanks for sharing this and your thoughts about the book, it does sound adorable.
I hope you find it! 😀