Jake Stays Awake

by Michael Wright

Jake can’t sleep. 
He climbs into bed with his mom and dad.
Now Jake’s parents can’t sleep.
Even the dog is awake.
This family needs a good night’s rest. Where can they sleep? 
The answer will delight and reassure children and their (sleep-deprived) parents!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Family, Poetry

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2007

About the author

Originally an advertising copywriter, now author and illustrator of children's books. Also the author and artist of a comic strip called "Home office".

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake can only seem to sleep if he's in bed with his parents . . . but his fidgety presence keeps them from getting a good night's rest. They come up with some pretty wacky solutions to this problem.

Sigh.

We went through this with our youngest. He ended up sharing our bed for about three years, though he honestly didn't keep us from sleeping. I remember only one time that he nudged me awake saying, "Mommy, listen to the owl." - and we did, so, fond memory, there. I can't recall how we finally go him to sleep in his own bed, but I do know it was my husband who really missed him, and even threatened to "go get him" a few times.

My only advice for parents would be this too shall pass . . .

[Abby Peskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many parents have dealt with the struggle of getting children to fall asleep in their own beds, the kids instead preferring to sleep with them, which sometimes makes it difficult for anyone to get a good night’s rest. This book is a silly take on this problem, as the parents let Jake sleep with them as long as he can find a place they can all sleep together. They try many places throughout the house, including the roof, the stairs, the kitchen, but they all make it so hard to sleep. Eventually, Jake gets so tired that he has to go lie down - in his own bed.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sleepy eyes are the best of the illustrations. I think just about every parent can identify with children who refuse to sleep in some way or other. This book may be just what they need to know their beds are quite all right after all.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids thought this book was hilarious.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it amusing. The four grandsons I read it to (ages 4-10) thought it was very funny.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a strange little book!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake can’t sleep in his own bed so he sleeps with his parents. In his sheep onesie he crawls into bed with them but now they can’t sleep so they decide they will have Jake pick out places in the house where they can bed down for the night. Jake is quite creative, but not practical as he chooses unique sleeping arrangements like up on the roof, on the stairs, in the bathtub, and in the kitchen where he can snack on donuts all night long. There are a few other places Jake chooses for the family to try but they all have obstacles that must be dealt with and a good sleep is not something the family gets that night. Jake finally has a light-bulb moment one night and he leaves his parents snoring behind as he walks himself to another room as he catches some zzz’s. The story is told in rhyme and I like the font style and the flow of the story. The pictures are cute and the attention to detail is one that children will enjoy. Oh, we can’t forget the dog; Jake’s pup is in on the adventure too.

[Samantha Penrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake is a little boy who insists upon sleeping in his parents bed.
"This drove his poor parents straight up a tree-they had a bed made for two, not a bed made for three".
Jake's parents decide to use trickery to get Jake out of their bed....they inform him that they can all sleep together, just not in their bed. They leave it up to Jake to figure out a place for them to all crash comfortably. They try the roof, the stairs, the bathtub, the kitchen, the trash cans and even the car. Finally Jake comes to the realization that he might be more comfortable in his own bed.
In the end Jake takes a liking to his bed....
"His parents are happy again with their son, and everyone's realized it's not always fun to have kids sleep with parents night after night. But every once in a while? Well, that's quite all right".

[Tim Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional/Poetry
Copyright: 2007

"Jake Stays Awake" is a book filled with great illustrations and follows a very simple ABAB rhyming pattern. The story follows Jake who can't seem to fall asleep in his own bed. His parents let him sleep in their bed, and at first think the idea is okay, until Jake leads them on a journey of sleepless nights throughout the whole house!

The illustrations were hilarious! The art style is simple, yet uses different angles to make them seem more vibrant. The poetry is fun and uses great expression as to how the characters feel throughout the book.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boys (ages 4 & 8) loved this book. They loved when Jake slept with his feet on his parent's face. They loved when he fell asleep with his face on a picture he was drawing and his arms extended over his parents faces. They loved all the places the family decided to try sleeping (the roof, the stairs, the tub, the kitchen, the garbage cans, and the car). Finally, Jake decided to try his own bed. By himself. And it was perfect.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake does not want to sleep in his own bed by himself, but his parents' bed is not large enough for all three of them. Therefore, the family tries to find a place where they can all sleep together, which leads to some humorous situations! The bright illustrations and the rhyming text make this a perfect read aloud book!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to sleep on the roof slightly disturbed my daughter, but this gave way to glee as the family tries to sleep in the car, the kitchen, the bathtub and even, giggle, garbage cans.
I got this from the library because my daughter will stay up late playing in her room after being put in bed....hopefully she doesn't adapt Jake's problem of needing to sleep with his parents.

[Sharon Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I didn't like was the language at the end that Jake's parents were "happy again with him" when he starts sleeping by himself. I am sure I am reading into things but it feels a little awkward- like conditional love? I wish the author had just said "happier" or "energized" or something else.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for kids who need to transition out of their parents' bed. The illustrations are charming--Wallace and Grommit level of charm. The story zips along with a subtle rhyme with one zany situation after another.

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for families with bedtime issues! The rhyming text is fun and goes with the cartoonish illustrations. What I liked best was that in the end it was still okay for the kid to sleep with his parents once in a while.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, the droopy eyes of the family members creeped me out. However, once past that, I thought it was creative and funny. Great for the child that needs to break a bad habit that should have never been allowed in the first place.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud at the illustrations in this book. It is such a cute story that ALL parents can relate to. I probably would not go to the lengths that these parents did, (sleeping in so many different places) but this was a very enjoyable read! C. 2007, genre-realistic fiction

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nightly, Jake enters his parents' bedroom because he cannot sleep in his own room. Illustrations are hysterical...and add absolute thrill to the sharing of this story of a family who quests to find a place to sleep where they may all be comfortable.

[Whitney Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection. The illustrations are simple yet full of so much detail. Jake's dad's facial expressions crack me up! It's a wonderful story that can be used to ease children into sleeping in their own rooms.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake's parents realize they've "created a monster" when Jake insists on sleeping in their bed every night. So they come up with a creative plan to get him to sleep in his own bed. Jake can sleep with them anywhere as long as it isn't in their bed.

Great illustrations!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was OK, but it didn't especially resonate with me. My son has no trouble staying in his bed, and I don't need to be told that him sleeping in my bed every night would be a bad idea. The artwork, likewise, was OK, but I didn't especially like it.

[Jd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover looks funny. Reminds me of me, without footy pajamas...

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the rhyming text, but I was a little disappointed in the pictures. The pictures have excellent detail, but they seem more for adults.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

ages 2 -5 – rhyming story of a boy who likes to sleep with his parents ; cute illustrations.

[Cass Mabbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick this up just to look at the artwork. It's very clever. Most of the perspective is looking down at the characters trying to sleep.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book about a common problem. A young boy who likes to go to sleep in his parents' bed night after night learns that his own bed is the best place to sleep.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have kids who try to sleep in your bed every night, this book will tickle their funny bones and maybe even help. The illustrations are great.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was okay but not good for story time--who wants to plant the idea that "hey, maybe I could go sleep with mom and dad!"

[Tuscania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story to read to your little one especially if they are used to co-sleeping. Thankfully, we never had this problem but my 3 1/2 yr old found it really enjoyable.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great rhyme, quick pace, lots going on in the illustrations. Good message. Well received by the kids and super popular with parents who battle the midnight visitors!