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Snowbaby Could Not Sleep
Falling asleep can be hard work. Just ask Snowbaby! After counting snowflakes, snuggling up in blankets of snow, and singing don't put him to sleep, Snowmama and Snowpapa aren't sure what to do. But with a snip here and a clip there, they create the perfect friend to help Snowbaby fall asleep, at last. Young readers are sure to be charmed by LaReau's cheerful snowfamily determined to have a good night's sleep, and Ikishawa's illustrations may just have them wishing it were winter-or at least snowy-all year round.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2005
About the author
Kara LaReau
55 books103 followersKara LaReau was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and later worked as an editor at Candlewick Press and at Scholastic Press. Among other celebrated titles, she edited Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and the Mercy Watson series. She is the author of picture books such as UGLY FISH, illustrated by Scott Magoon, Baby Clown, illustrated by Matthew Cordell, and Goodnight Little Monsters, illustrated by Brian Won; chapter book series Witchycakes, illustrated by Ariane Moreira and The Infamous Ratsos, illustrated by Matt Myers; and middle-grade trilogies The ZomBert Chronicles, illustrated by Ryan Andrews, and The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, illustrated by Jen Hill. Kara lives in Providence, Rhode Island with her husband and daughter and their cats.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 1, 2021
What a cute book about not being able to fall asleep with a spin about the child being a snowchild instead. That means he needs more cold water, and more snow blankets to be comfortable, but for some reason he still can’t sleep! His parents try a variety of things to finally get him to fall asleep - all snow themed so this would be so fun to read in the winter or with a winter curriculum.
January 24, 2019
This book had a lot of opportunities to engage in dialogic reading. There are two points in the story where Snowbaby tries to count snowflakes to fall asleep, and I counted the snowflakes with my kids.
February 15, 2019
Snowbaby had trouble falling asleep. Mom and dad went through all the usual things parents do. Then they made him a snowdog to sleep with. As he helps the snowdog fall asleep, he gets tired and rests too.
Background details in the illustration draw the reader in.
Background details in the illustration draw the reader in.
January 11, 2018
Really sweet story! Love for babies.
January 25, 2018
Interactive rhyme, winter, weather,
January 26, 2018
A different twist on a bedtime story with a snowman family!
February 4, 2019
I wish it had been called Snowdoggie (because he was so cute)!
January 7, 2020
A good way to talk through/model how to respond when kids can’t sleep at night.
January 2, 2025
A cute winter bedtime book.
January 2, 2025
A sweet book about not being able to fall asleep. While it was cute, it would be best for preschool aged children, not babies which is what I was looking for.
February 18, 2025
Storytime: Snowmen, Winter, Bedtime
December 23, 2014
Booklist (January 1, 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 9))
PreS. "Snowbaby could not, would not sleep,"no matter how many times his patient Snowmama and Snowpapa come bustling in to fulfill one of his many requests. Finally, Snowbaby admits that he is lonely, so his resourceful parents fashion an equally restless companion, Snowdoggie, whom Snowbaby knows just how to soothe. Although the story is slight, there are some clever touches (Snowmama tucks in her baby under a freshly packed blanket of snow, and papa says, "Sleet tight!"), and parents will appreciate the concluding emphasis on self-reliance in combating the sometimes-frustrating moments before slumber. Working in folk-art-style mixed media, Ishikawa, illustrator of Philemon Sturges'Waggers (2005), creates a lovable snow family, resembling a cross between gingerbread people and traditional carrot-nosed snowfolk, and houses them (appropriately enough) in a kind of igloo--though hairsplitters may question the stovepipe extending from the roof. An imaginative treatment of a common childhood issue, tailor-made for winter storytimes or for sharing before sleep on frosty nights.
Horn Book (Spring 2006)
Counting snowflakes, an extra blanket of snow, a cold glass of water--none of these things help Snowbaby fall asleep; but a Snowdoggie for company finally does the trick. Despite the chilly atmosphere and some superfluous final lines of text, the warm illustrations invite readers to snuggle in for a cozy bedtime story.
Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2005)
It's a perfect night for sleeping-wintry and windy. "But Snowbaby could not, would not sleep." First, he's not tired, then he's too hot, thirsty, he'd like a song, the wind is too loud, he wants some company. His never flagging parents cheerfully attempt to solve them all. Snowpapa suggests he count snowflakes. Snowmama adds another layer of snow to his blankets. Nothing gets him to sleep until the ingenious parents create a Snowdoggie. Dad's buttons are his eyes, while his smile is a ribbon from Mom's skirt. But Snowbaby gets a taste of his own medicine when Snowdoggie becomes restless and "could not, would not sleep." When the two finally close their eyes, the tired parents tiptoe off to their own bed: "Good night! Sleet dreams!" Ishikawa's mixed-media illustrations perfectly evoke the wintry text, with touches that remind readers at every turn that the characters are snowmen: cool colors, evergreen wallpaper, penguin friends. A cute winter version of a familiar theme with the added touch of providing a solution-counting snowflakes-for parents to suggest to overtired tots. (Picture book. 3-8)
Publishers Weekly (November 28, 2005)
The mother and father in La Reau's (Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party) story may be made of snow (yes, they both have carrots for noses), but they face a quandary familiar to any pair of flesh-and-blood parents: their baby "could not, would not sleep." Nothing-not Snowmama putting "an extra blanket of snow on his bed," not even Snowpapa singing "Winter Wonderland" or "Frosty the Snowman"-does the trick for Snowbaby. Then parental ingenuity really kicks in, and soon Snowbaby is cuddling up to his very own adorable Snowdoggie-and proving that he's every bit as adept as his parents in nudging along "sleet dreams." Ishikawa's (Waggers) naïf, mixed-media illustrations exude sweetness and good humor. Using a wide range of blue hues, he evokes both the crisp chill of the outdoors and presumably low thermostat setting of Snow family's cozy home in a snowmound; he conveys a domesticity that is at once familiar and whimsical. Very young children should find this one ideal for before-bedtime snuggles under the comforter-particularly after a hard day's work building snow families in the yard. Ages 3-6. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (January 1, 2006)
PreS-Gr 1-On a cold winter night, Snowbaby is unable to sleep. His father suggests that he tries counting snowflakes, but that doesn't work. Then he complains that he is too hot, so his mother adds a blanket of snow. Then he is too thirsty and too lonely. After a glass of ice water and singing to Snowbaby does not do the trick, the determined parents make a fluffy white Snowdoggie to keep him company. Then the baby is happy but now the dog can not and will not sleep. Snowbaby offers him a drink, a song, and his earmuffs to guard against the wind. Finally, the story comes full circle as Snowbaby and Snowdoggie count snowflakes until everyone is sound asleep. Children will join in LaReau's rhythmic refrain and will be entertained by the reluctant sleepers. Ishikawa's gouache and watercolor paintings create a snowy, windy scene outside while framing a cozy and loving home on the inside, making this a well-paced and delightful bedtime story.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
PreS. "Snowbaby could not, would not sleep,"no matter how many times his patient Snowmama and Snowpapa come bustling in to fulfill one of his many requests. Finally, Snowbaby admits that he is lonely, so his resourceful parents fashion an equally restless companion, Snowdoggie, whom Snowbaby knows just how to soothe. Although the story is slight, there are some clever touches (Snowmama tucks in her baby under a freshly packed blanket of snow, and papa says, "Sleet tight!"), and parents will appreciate the concluding emphasis on self-reliance in combating the sometimes-frustrating moments before slumber. Working in folk-art-style mixed media, Ishikawa, illustrator of Philemon Sturges'Waggers (2005), creates a lovable snow family, resembling a cross between gingerbread people and traditional carrot-nosed snowfolk, and houses them (appropriately enough) in a kind of igloo--though hairsplitters may question the stovepipe extending from the roof. An imaginative treatment of a common childhood issue, tailor-made for winter storytimes or for sharing before sleep on frosty nights.
Horn Book (Spring 2006)
Counting snowflakes, an extra blanket of snow, a cold glass of water--none of these things help Snowbaby fall asleep; but a Snowdoggie for company finally does the trick. Despite the chilly atmosphere and some superfluous final lines of text, the warm illustrations invite readers to snuggle in for a cozy bedtime story.
Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2005)
It's a perfect night for sleeping-wintry and windy. "But Snowbaby could not, would not sleep." First, he's not tired, then he's too hot, thirsty, he'd like a song, the wind is too loud, he wants some company. His never flagging parents cheerfully attempt to solve them all. Snowpapa suggests he count snowflakes. Snowmama adds another layer of snow to his blankets. Nothing gets him to sleep until the ingenious parents create a Snowdoggie. Dad's buttons are his eyes, while his smile is a ribbon from Mom's skirt. But Snowbaby gets a taste of his own medicine when Snowdoggie becomes restless and "could not, would not sleep." When the two finally close their eyes, the tired parents tiptoe off to their own bed: "Good night! Sleet dreams!" Ishikawa's mixed-media illustrations perfectly evoke the wintry text, with touches that remind readers at every turn that the characters are snowmen: cool colors, evergreen wallpaper, penguin friends. A cute winter version of a familiar theme with the added touch of providing a solution-counting snowflakes-for parents to suggest to overtired tots. (Picture book. 3-8)
Publishers Weekly (November 28, 2005)
The mother and father in La Reau's (Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party) story may be made of snow (yes, they both have carrots for noses), but they face a quandary familiar to any pair of flesh-and-blood parents: their baby "could not, would not sleep." Nothing-not Snowmama putting "an extra blanket of snow on his bed," not even Snowpapa singing "Winter Wonderland" or "Frosty the Snowman"-does the trick for Snowbaby. Then parental ingenuity really kicks in, and soon Snowbaby is cuddling up to his very own adorable Snowdoggie-and proving that he's every bit as adept as his parents in nudging along "sleet dreams." Ishikawa's (Waggers) naïf, mixed-media illustrations exude sweetness and good humor. Using a wide range of blue hues, he evokes both the crisp chill of the outdoors and presumably low thermostat setting of Snow family's cozy home in a snowmound; he conveys a domesticity that is at once familiar and whimsical. Very young children should find this one ideal for before-bedtime snuggles under the comforter-particularly after a hard day's work building snow families in the yard. Ages 3-6. (Oct.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (January 1, 2006)
PreS-Gr 1-On a cold winter night, Snowbaby is unable to sleep. His father suggests that he tries counting snowflakes, but that doesn't work. Then he complains that he is too hot, so his mother adds a blanket of snow. Then he is too thirsty and too lonely. After a glass of ice water and singing to Snowbaby does not do the trick, the determined parents make a fluffy white Snowdoggie to keep him company. Then the baby is happy but now the dog can not and will not sleep. Snowbaby offers him a drink, a song, and his earmuffs to guard against the wind. Finally, the story comes full circle as Snowbaby and Snowdoggie count snowflakes until everyone is sound asleep. Children will join in LaReau's rhythmic refrain and will be entertained by the reluctant sleepers. Ishikawa's gouache and watercolor paintings create a snowy, windy scene outside while framing a cozy and loving home on the inside, making this a well-paced and delightful bedtime story.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2009
This is such a cute story about a snow family. When snowbaby cannot sleep, they try everything they can to get him to sleep. When nothing works, Snowmama and Snowpapa come up with a wonderful idea for someone to keep Snowbaby company. Then he is able to sleep.[return][return]This is a very cute story. The illustrations are mostly in blues and whites, which adds to the snowy feeling. I highly recommend this story for preschoolers.
November 13, 2013
This is an awfully cute book about a snowbaby that has a hard time going to sleep. Snowmama and Snowpapa do everything they can think of to help him, but nothing seems to work. Finally, they get the idea to make snowbaby a snowdoggie, then snowbaby has someone to cuddle with.
The illustrations are simple and sweet. I love the rhythm and repetition of the story as well.
The illustrations are simple and sweet. I love the rhythm and repetition of the story as well.
December 28, 2014
This book was featured as one of the selections for the December 2014 Snowmen-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
December 12, 2013
Sometimes it is hard for a child to go to sleep--they're hungry or thirsty or scared or lonely...but snowbaby is a different kind of child who needs unique kinds of love and attention. It is a short and fun book that would be great for ECE level readers.
December 3, 2014
This is a cute little snowman-themed bedtime story. Cute illustrations and lots of fun for reading to my Kindergartner. I, personally am not that patient of a parent when putting my kid to bed. I'm like, "once I put you in bed, STAY THERE!" :)
December 23, 2014
Snowbaby could not, would not sleep. He is too hot, so Snowmama puts an extra blanket (of snow!) on his bed. Snowpapa sings him winter songs. Nothing works. Finally Snowmama has a brilliant idea. Super cute story with some fun humor mixed in. The illustrations are really cute as well.
June 16, 2008
I wish getting kids to go to sleep was really this easy!
August 13, 2013
My son loves this book, he has me change the name of Snowbaby to SnowWeston, and change all of the other names of the characters to fit our family.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews