While You are Sleeping (Paperback) - Common

by Alexis Deacon

Being a plush toy might sound like an easy job, but when a newcomer joins their group, the bedside toys show him everything that goes into taking care of a child while he is sleeping. Every night, they make sure that he isn’t too hot or too cold, and that he stays safely in his bed. They chase away bedbugs and bad dreams. And on Christmas Eve they have the very important task of making sure the child does not awake until morning. The new toy – and the reader – will find a lot
to learn before the night is over.

Acclaimed author-artist Alexis Deacon has produced an enchanting bedtime picture book filled with soothing, dreamy pictures and gentle humor.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Love, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2006

About the author

Alexis Deacon is an acclaimed author and illustrator. Beegu and Jitterbug Jam, both of which he illustrated, were named as New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this third picture-book from English children's author and artist Alexis Deacon - the first two were Slow Loris and Beegu - a child's stuffed animals come to life at night, and perform many important tasks in protecting her, before reverting to their motionless state, just before she awakens in the morning. From crushing bed bugs (thankfully not depicted!) to adjusting the girl's covers, depending on whether she is too warm or cold, the toys make sure that their young human charge sleeps well...

An engaging book, one that provides a sweet "living toy" story - something young children tend to appreciate - and that boasts lovely, atmospheric illustrations, While You Are Sleeping answers that age-old childhood question: what do my toys do, when I'm sleeping? Do they, perhaps, come alive? Gentle in tone, with frightening realities - bedbugs, dreams - mentioned, but safely "off screen," this tale makes for an excellent bedtime story.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story, and can definitely see KS1 children being very engaged with it. There are lots of links to be made with the 'Toy Story' films, which many children will be able to bring knowledge from. Moreover, children who take toys to bed will be able to make world-to-text connections.

This story is all about what the 'bedside toys' get up to at night, to help/protect their child. I can see this story getting children's imaginations going, and prompting lots of discussions about whether their toys help them, what may happen if they have a naughty toy, is it possible to catch a teddy moving on its own, etc. The story ends with a question, which Deacon does not answer: 'Why do we do it' - ie why do the toys want to protect their child? This could prompt discussions too.

I think children would enjoy creating their own stories about their bedside toys. The importance of having a good night sleep can be discussed in science. There are art opportunities with drawing their toys, DT opportunities for making their toys out of different materials e.g. clay. Children could look at toys throughout history, and how they have changed. Materials for toys could be explored in science.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a lovely book. The illustrations are so amazing and there is so much discussion and predictions to be made throughout. I think I would to spend time on the front cover saying what the children see, what they think and what they wonder about the book. I also love the fact that the first page opens up with a question as I would love to here the answers it provokes. The pictures really do speak a thousand words.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this tender bedtime story by Alexis Deacon, children learn about the important job that their stuffed animals have. After the child is fast asleep, the toys come to life to watch over and keep her safe. When a new toy comes to the bedside, they must teach him the ropes. Especially for a very important night, when Santa comes!

There are many modern and classic elements to this imaginative story. The illustrations look like they are done in charcoal, which makes the smudgy edges dreamy. Alexis Deacon is very creative about placement of text and pictures: sometimes the text is large, text is at the top of page, sometimes the illustration takes up both pages and uses the entire space, other times the illustration is shortened. Highly recommend this for young children. It's sure to become a home library staple.

[Laura's Book Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter brought this book home from her school library and it’s such a lovely tale. We had to read it three times in a row!!

[Adele · Rating 1 out of 5]

This picture book is not as overtly creepy as I Am Henry Finch or Place to Call Home. No this is more insidious. The whole time I was reading it I was thinking about Stephen King's Charlie the Choo-Choo: From the world of The Dark Tower. Like that book, at first glance this looks like an ordinary children's book, but it doesn't take long to recognize the evil just below the surface. The scariest picture is the stuffed "toys" with their blank, solid black, demon eyes waiting to be "absolutely sure" the child is asleep.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

While you are sleeping is a story about the stuffed animals "duties" when a child is sleeping at night. This fun and imaginative story gives life to the stuffed animals and shows everything they do to make sure the girl has a good nights rest. In this book the girl who sleeps never actually sees the toys doing these things but she still loves them all the same. This story is a creative way to give a reason why children have stuffed animals.

In my opinion, this book is really well done. The story is full with colorful pictures that really give life to the stuffed animals as they protect the girl. Even though there is a little more text than some picture books, it really tells a great story that any child would love. As a child I would of loved to hear this because I owned many stuffed animals.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adorable story about what stuffed animals do when the kidlets are asleep. I think it can be a wonderful story for kids who are afraid to go to bed alone at night. The illustrations really stood out in this book.

[Siobhan O' Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this one, the illustrations are a little frightening and it seems like a horror book for kids!

[Lauren Drake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book about what a child's bedside toys do whilst they are sleeping at night. Children may like to read this and use their imagination to think about what their toys might do when they are sleeping - this could make a good literacy idea writing what they think their toys may get up to at night.
However, some children may find this story scary depending on their age and the pictures can also seem quite scary at times due to the dark tones used. Due to this, i probably wouldn't personally have a copy of this book in my classroom.

[Ruby Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like how the use of anthropomorphism has been used to give the toys a parental and caring persona. There are endless opportunities for prediction in this text. It is also a great way to spark children's imaginations with something they have probably already thought about- I used to dream about my bedtime toys coming alive and having their own little personalities. There is no doubt that children will be engaged by the story of 'alive' stuffed toys!

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely one that will get children's imaginations whirring, especially when we all (secretly) hope that our favourite toys wake up when we are sleeping! Beautiful illustrations and lovely story to read as a class and independently.

Could be used as a stimulus to write own short stories on children's choice of toy/object.

[Harmony · Rating 2 out of 5]

While You Are Sleeping by Alexis Deacon is an okay bedtime story for young children, but it didn't quite work for me. I found myself wishing it rhymed, as I think that would have made the story more engaging and enjoyable. Though the concept is sweet, it felt like it was missing a lyrical quality that could have made it better.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stuffed animals relate what they do for their boy during the night to help him sleep. I don't care much for art, and the language is common to Britain, which makes it a bit less useful in the US. And I hope the kid doesn't encounter bed bugs!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4

Maybe, if I had been a child who thought my toys might be 'alive', I would rate this more highly.

The art: a little fuzzy and murky which is good because the story takes place at night while a child sleeps.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't do it for me, didn't quite see the point.

[Gemma Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourite childrens books. It actually puts a lump in my throat.

[Ana Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A nice message behind the text but also very strange- not sure it’s one for me.

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read but now I am little frightened with stuffed animals.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - Cute book/idea but thinking that some more sensitive kids might get creeped out by the toys coming to life

[Abby Peskin · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do your stuffed animals do when you’re sleeping? This child’s toys watch over him when he’s sleeping, making sure that he’s safe and sleeping calmly, and and scaring away any bad dreams.

[Elena Caballero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how little toys that wake up at night to take care of children. They are supposed to look like night workers. It explains to readers that if children are sick, having bad dreams or too cold, they will be there for us. In the end, they toys got back to their same spots and got ready to play again. This book has a lot of meaning and imagination.

I loved this book, it's so cute and reminded me of when I was a little girl and how I would always sleep with so many toys on my bed. I would think that the toys would protect me at night. It has a tender message and the illustration bring it alive. I recommend this book, especially for it to be read to younger children, to help them open up their imagination and creativity. The themes I found in this book are growing up, kindness, generosity, and imagination.

[Emily Sands · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cute way to tell children about the different time zones and about diversity around the world. It is a great intro book, the flaps that are used throughout the book give an amazing interactive feel to the story. On each page of the story it relates to the other that is occurring in a completely different part of the world. One would show a night view and the other a day view. The illustrations are simple and fluid. The weakness of the book however is that they are doing different things at different times and in different parts of the world. It would be better if the children were related to one another or doing something opposite from one another. The book accurately portrays cultural differences and strives to include characters within multiple cultural groups. The book is simple and creates a reflective environment that pushes children to think analytically.

[Saba N Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spend a night with a group of bedside toys as they show a new toy the ropes of caring for their kid.

This story can go two ways.....

1) Good. Comfort a child who is nervous about sleeping alone. The toys in the story show how they care and protect their child during their sleep.

2) Terrifying. Scare a child who is nervous about sleeping alone. The story only goes on to confirm that scary things do happen when they go to sleep. What is scarier than an inanimate object coming to life, even if it is a beloved bedside toy?

I would recommend parents use their best judgement when reading or sharing this book with their cautious nighttime sleeper.

[Jenilyn Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and thought it was very sweet. It's about what stuffed animals do while you're asleep and how they protect you and love you. I really enjoyed it because it was almost Toy Story-esque in the way that it talks about how your stuffed animals really love you and care about you. It's also relatable to children because a lot of them probably sleep with stuffed animals, and it's comforting to think about how they could care about you and watch after you.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for this kind of book in part because the ending brings some tears.

It's such a mix of strange and sweet. Strangest to me is the duty the bedside toys feel, that their work of protecting the sleeping child is a bit laborious, but worth it.

A nice way to imagine our much loved stuffed animals keep kids safe as they sleep.
Kids also get to peek into what sleep is like, how sometimes it's uncomfortable, but it will pass.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a fantastic book to give a small child, especially if it is given with a lovable stuffy. Alexis Deacon created a perfect bedtime tale to assuage nervous hearts and minds. Children who worry about monsters and all things that go bump in the night will be reassured when they see how busy their stuffed toys are working to keep them safe and snug in their beds. Fantastically illustrated and super sweet! I absolutely loved it and your little ones will too.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot of this book it is some what like the movie toy story. During the day the toys lay still, but at night they come out and take care of their owner. If their owner has a bad dream they scare it away, if they are sick they take care. I chose t because I loved the illustrations in this book. They seem to have been done with oil pastels. I would like to use this book in a 1st grade setting. I think a, what I see, what i think, what I wonder activity would be perfect for this book.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creepy take on Toy Story. Thank goodness for the brave little lion who steps up on his first night as a bedtime toy.

I read a bunch of Alexis Deacon books this week because I was blown away by his graphic novel Geis: A Matter of Life and Death. His picture books aren't nearly as good, with this odd duck being the best of the lot.