While Everyone is Sleeping

by Sarah Mackenzie, Gabrielle Grimard (Illustrator)

Just before first morning light, Little Shrew is awakened by the moon. A mysterious fragrance leads her to a garden of moonflowers, where moths flutter, crickets hum, and frogs and peepers keep the beat.

Join Little Shrew’s merry romp in the moonlit garden in this bedtime story for adventurous souls. A picture book for those age 2-102.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Animals

Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2023

About the author

Sarah Mackenzie started Read-Aloud Revival® to help parents make meaningful and lasting connections with their kids through books.

She’s a mother of six, the author of Teaching from Rest and The Read-Aloud Family, and host of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, which has been downloaded over 16 million times in more than 160 countries.

Her award-winning publishing house, Waxwing Books, makes timeless stories families will love to read aloud.

Sarah makes her home in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a darling, rhyming, beautifully illustrated picture book. Dancing under the light of the moon!

[MrsK Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MrsK's Review: Fantasy Read-Aloud
Little Shrew awakes while everyone is asleep. Oh, how beautiful is the moon. Little Shrew believes that she is called to romp through the outdoor garden... will she be in danger? Should she stay safe in bed?

Come along on Little Shrew's "romp" in the night garden. Let the melody of the moth's beating wings provide a rhythm for your imagination. Experience the beats of the night creatures as Little Shrew weaves in and out of the garden. Whisperings of the frolicking and critter merriment will softly lull your little ones into a peaceful slumber.

Reading before your littles close their eyes, has always been one of the most treasured moments of the day... Enjoy this moment of a peace filled lullaby,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[Chautona Havig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story about a mouse who is determined to see something special one night "while everyone is sleeping." Told in beautiful simplicity and stunning artistry, While Everyone Is Sleeping will be a favorite around here for sure. As much as I love every page, there is something extra special about the last little, "I'll be back."

Eager for the next Waxwings publication. The first two have been an absolute delight.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shhh. Everyone is asleep at my house and I am reviewing this lyrical and lovely picture book by Sarah Mackenzie and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard. A little shrew wakes up and quietly goes outside while the moon is still full. He dances around gorgeous moonflowers with others who flourish in our sleeping hours. The narrative is gentle and will sooth little minds as they go to sleep dreaming about the music of the night. Perfect for bedtime reading.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet view of what the night looks like through the eyes of a small mouse.

This sweet book will take you through some of the more magical dances that take place during the dark, and the many insects and plants that are vibrant during the night.

Beautiful illustrations! I loved this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful images and wonderful language, the story is comforting and delightful with a calming sense. It reminded me so much of Wait Till the Moon Is Full by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Garth Williams – I remember being read that book over and over as a child, and I can see While Everyone Is Sleeping be on repeat at bedtime for readers today.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, charming picture book that would make for a good bedtime story. The prose has lyrical rhymes that matches with the soft art. I enjoyed the pastel colors and use of watercolors that add to the atmosphere.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love Sarah Mackenzie and her podcast and her Read Aloud book... Her Children's books have not been our favorite. The illustrations are lovely, and this one is sweet, but it's one we would check out from the library but not necessarily own.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mouse wakes up before down and explores the nighttime moonlit world.

Rhyming text with inconsistent pattern.

[DeNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and sweetly told.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book!

[Halie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. The story is light and fun, the art is stunning. We read this book over and over again.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, imaginative story in rhyme with lovely illustrations.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations!!!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and written. A good book to read when studying about what nature does at night.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas gift for my 5 year old daughter. It was sweet and charming, with lovely illustrations. This would be a great bedtime story.

[Hannah Gamache · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about a mouse!

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this gorgeous, lyrical book just begs to become a board book. Imagine reading your child to sleep each night with Sarah's lullaby quietly spoken.

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations. a mesmerizing cadence to the rhyming scheme. and a cute little story. overall a very good book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated!