Why Juan Can't Sleep: A Mystery?

Mini-Mysteries for Minors #4

by Karl Beckstrand, Luis Sanz (Illustrator)

(Humor) "Crosses cultural boundaries. … Lovely exploration ... fabulously rich and evocative of the artistry of Shel Silverstein.” - Mark Condon, Unite for Literacy
Crazy day—of work and play—worn-out Juan “Must sleep!” Tonight he’ll dream of dragons … or will he? A bedtime mystery with finding activity and hilarious illustrations by Spanish artist Luis F. Sanz (Bright Star, Night An Astronomy Story) that aid comprehension and help build vocabulary (especially adjectives, Ages 4 – 8). Young and old will identify with this funny, spooky quest for rest. 290 words by award-winning author Karl Beckstrand (The Bridge of the Golden Wood), 32-page picture book/ebook with Hispanic child/Latino character, available via Premio Publishing Gozo Books (Mini-mysteries for Minors series [multicultural], worldwide rights © Aug. 2012) Premiobooks, Amazon/Kindle, Ingram, Baker Taylor/Follett, Brodart. 2012914948, JUV011030, JUV010000, JUV028000, JUV019000, JUV054000, 978-0615692296

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2012

About the author

College media instructor Karl Beckstrand has lived abroad, interned for a Massachusetts publisher and for Congress in D.C. He earned a B.A. in journalism, an M.A. in international relations and conflict resolution, and a broadcast/film certificate. He’s been a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley, a Stanford Hospital chaplain, a Spanish interpreter for Angel Flight (aviator nonprofit), and a rock band front man. He is the best-selling and award-winning author/illustrator of 27 multicultural/multilingual books and more than 60 e-book titles. His western survival thriller, To Swallow the Earth, won a 2016 International Book Award, and his works have been lauded by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal. Raised in Silicon Valley, he has worked with people from all continents (except Antarctica). His work reflects cultural diversity—not only in protagonists, but in collaborators (his illustrators hail from Latin America, Europe, and Asia). Since 2004, he has run Premio Publishing. Beckstrand has presented to Taiwan’s Global Leadership for Youth, city and state governments, festivals, and schools. His Y.A. stories, self-help, ebook mysteries, nonfiction, Spanish/bilingual, career, and STEM books feature ethnically diverse characters—and usually end with a twist. His work has appeared via: Amazon, Apple/iBooks, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Costco, Deseret Book, Follett, Ingram, Kobo, Papercrafts Magazine, SCRIBD, Target.com, The U.S. Congressional Record, Walmart, and https://PremioBooks.com

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book in verse

Adorable pictures follow Juan as he struggles to get some sleep in this book of verses. You will see it isn't just one thing that keeps Juan up! A cute little story.

[Jonathan Kemmerer-Scovner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, this is a really intriguing book, I read it twice through just to make sure I got everything. There's a lot going on with the design and the typography, filled with the mundane and the fantastic. A disheveled David Letterman makes an appearance, in the way our dreamscape tries to make sense of the day's events.

Lots of really fun vocabulary... A dreary dream of drooling druids... And the rhyme scheme knows no bounds:

A plane, a train, thunder and rain, police in the lane... Urp! Last night's lo mein.

He counts in his brain, the strain, the pain! (He's bursting a vein)

He's going insane.

On it goes until both Juan and the creature beneath his bed manage to find some shut-eye.

[Amys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique story of a very long night

What a unique story in Why Juan Can’t Sleep- A Mystery? by Karl Beckstrand . I am a fan of this author! Poor Juan. He can't sleep and is in for a long night. The rhymes and alliterations bring the sounds to life. The sounds that are keeping Juan awake. The illustrations told the story even if this book didn't have words. This book would be perfect to read to a child or have the child read it back. It's humorous, and yes, I felt sorry for Juan, and very enjoyable. It was a fun read. I look forward to reading more by this author. Why Juan Can’t Sleep- A Mystery? is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot of this book centers on a boy named Juan, who is having a sleepless night. Illustrations are clever and unique; they complement the stream of consciousness of rambling ideas in the plot. There is lots of onomatopoeia and alliteration.

The book is targeted for ages three through seven. I think most children in this age group will have difficulty following the logic of the plot. They will enjoy some of the ideas and unique illustrations. Parents and teachers will need to be on hand to explain the layers of meaning in the text. I don't understand why the word mystery was included in the title, this is not a book about a mystery in the traditional sense.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of why Juan can’t sleep. Noises surround him. Dreams assault him.

Story is composed in a series of haikus, it seems. It’s almost as if random sentences were pasted together.

Ex: “At least my arm’s asleep. Drowsy, drifting, dreaming, DRUMMING? Dizzy Dancers.”

This didn’t really make sense. And why did they question of this was a mystery? Why Juan can’t sleep: A Mystery? Was there really any question in that?

Nice illustrations though.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for sounds

This book is great for introducing children to otomotopeias. The Sounds are keeping Juan awake. He wants to dream in fairy lands. Will he finally fall sleep?

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again ... a biased review (I'm the author): this is my favorite of all my mysteries.