Howatt debuts with a bedtime story that, true to its theme, is quiet and somnolent in tone. An unseen narrator points out a handful of sleeping animals, including a bird in a nest, a squirrel in the hollow of a tree, and a piglet in a barn. Rather than identify the animals, the text refers to each as "sleepyhead," leaving space for children to provide each creature's name. The repetitive structure of Howatt's sturdy rhymed couplets is soothing, if a bit repetitive at times: "Look! I see a sleepyhead snuggled in the reeds./ I see another sleepyhead resting in the weeds." Wan's (My Lucky Little Dragon) spare and gentle illustrations are more distinctive, as she portrays the animals in soft, rounded shapes to create an inviting and secure atmosphere. The subdued palette befits the nighttime setting, with glimmers of light provided by a crescent moon, stars, and fireflies. An image of a baby asleep in its mother's arms brings the book to a sweet close. Ages 4-8. Illustrator's agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Little animals, identified only as sleepyheads, make themselves comfortable in various woodland homes, in the barnyard, and in the house. But in a cozy bedroom, one bed is empty. Out on the moonlit porch, the last little sleepyhead is dozing in Mama's arms. In the softly shaded pencil drawings with digitally added color, touches of white (moon, stars, fireflies, and text) glow brightly against dark backgrounds. As the rhythmic, rhyming text flows on, small children will enjoy naming the plump little animals depicted throughout the book. Most are easily identified, though one (probably a river otter), shown rocking on a wave and surrounded by water lilies, looks like a cat, except that it's sleeping in water. If the title alone isn't enough to make young children yawn, the repetitive sounds of the text and the dimly lit, rounded forms of sleeping animals have their own soothing, soporific effect. Good bedtime reading for young children.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist

PreS-Gr 1-Through rhyming text and cozy illustrations, readers are brought around the property of a farm and into a house at night to seek out all the sleepyheads. Each animal is glimpsed sleeping or about to fall asleep and each one is solely referred to as a "sleepyhead," thereby encouraging children to name the animals depicted. The book is comprised of full-spread illustrations, rendered in pencil and colored digitally. While the setting is nighttime and it is dark, it is not dreary but rather warm and inviting. A glowing crescent moon is visible with every page turn, and all the sleepyheads are endearing and cuddly. This book will make an excellent addition, especially where pajama storytime is popular.-Emily E. Lazio, The Smithtown Special Library District, NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Rhymed text invites engagement from the listener ("Look! I see a sleepyhead cuddled in a nest") to observe animals slumbering: a bear in a cave, duckling in river reeds, and others. Close-up, starlit illustrations, rendered in pencil and colored digitally, capture the cozy nocturnal sleeping places. The quiet bedtime story ends comfortably--with a sleeping child in Mama's arms. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.