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Naptime
All of the animals on the savannah are grumpy — no, they will not take a nap! But one little girl may know just what to do to make sure these creatures can get some much-needed shut-eye.
The crocodile and hippo insist that naps are for babies, the ostrich hides its head in the sand, and the hyena simply laughs at the suggestion.
But the cranky expressions on the animals’ faces give them away — these grouchy beasts are all in serious need of a nap!
Fortunately for these sleepy creatures a little girl appears who knows the secret to a good snooze: first close one eye, then close the other one. And, just like that, all of the animals are out like a light. It’s naptime on the savannah!
The crocodile and hippo insist that naps are for babies, the ostrich hides its head in the sand, and the hyena simply laughs at the suggestion.
But the cranky expressions on the animals’ faces give them away — these grouchy beasts are all in serious need of a nap!
Fortunately for these sleepy creatures a little girl appears who knows the secret to a good snooze: first close one eye, then close the other one. And, just like that, all of the animals are out like a light. It’s naptime on the savannah!
28 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 23, 2014
Honestly, the reason I like this book is because it is full of pissed-off zoo animals.
That's it.
I mean, any parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/babysitter/sibling/preschool worker/person who has been around an "I don't need a nap" child will totally understand the story. In fact, being reminded of this stupid afternoon battle may make said caretaker feel as pissed-off as the zoo animals.
But for me? It was all about those angry faces. Cracked me right the hell up.
That's it.
I mean, any parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/babysitter/sibling/preschool worker/person who has been around an "I don't need a nap" child will totally understand the story. In fact, being reminded of this stupid afternoon battle may make said caretaker feel as pissed-off as the zoo animals.
But for me? It was all about those angry faces. Cracked me right the hell up.
December 30, 2019
If only nap time was that simple...
July 1, 2022
Si seulement c'était si simple !
November 28, 2014
It seems that all the animals on the African savannah are completely disinterested in taking a nap or two. Each one makes all sorts of excuses until finally a little girl gives them advice that puts them to sleep. I liked the gouache illustrations and the grumpy looks of the wild beasts who could clearly use a nap or two. I also liked how the author/illustrator managed to capture their unique personalities. This one would be fun for a very short read aloud.
December 8, 2020
De Moüy’s beautiful picture book introduces a cast of tired, grumpy wild animals with the heavy, lined eyes of fatigue. Each animal has its own page on which it declares why it does not need a nap. The illustration for each animal, done in bold gouache with strong lines and spot colours, perfectly articulates each animal’s character, fatigue, and their excuse. The list of excuses is surely familiar to parents everywhere and will resonate with most children – while possibly adding to their playbooks for anti-nap protests.
For example:
“Naps are for little babies,” says the toothy crocodile, and, “I’m too big to have a nap,” says the weary elephant, who doesn’t even fit on the page. The ostrich hides its head in the sand saying, “I’m not even here” while the gazelle leaps off the page and says, “I don’t have time for a nap.”
At the end, the animals gather together, lying by the trees, grass, and watering hole. A little girl arrives and teaches them how to nap.
It’s an enchanting twist that empowers young readers as it shows the little girl taking charge and persuading the large animals to fall asleep. Young readers will like it as they can relate to the reluctance of the tired animals. They can also imagine themselves as the powerful little girl who becomes the boss of bedtime.
Parents will like this light-hearted and fun take on napping that also shares a practical tip for helping young ones to fall asleep: imagining a sequence of animals falling asleep, and then at last, trying the girl’s sleep advice: “Just close one eye… Then close the other eye…”
The translation is beautiful. A side-by-side comparison of the original French book with the English version shows that the translator aptly expressed the sentiments of the original French while selecting fitting English expressions.
Highly recommended for bookshelves everywhere, this delightful book is a perfect complement to any naptime or bedtime ritual.
For example:
“Naps are for little babies,” says the toothy crocodile, and, “I’m too big to have a nap,” says the weary elephant, who doesn’t even fit on the page. The ostrich hides its head in the sand saying, “I’m not even here” while the gazelle leaps off the page and says, “I don’t have time for a nap.”
At the end, the animals gather together, lying by the trees, grass, and watering hole. A little girl arrives and teaches them how to nap.
It’s an enchanting twist that empowers young readers as it shows the little girl taking charge and persuading the large animals to fall asleep. Young readers will like it as they can relate to the reluctance of the tired animals. They can also imagine themselves as the powerful little girl who becomes the boss of bedtime.
Parents will like this light-hearted and fun take on napping that also shares a practical tip for helping young ones to fall asleep: imagining a sequence of animals falling asleep, and then at last, trying the girl’s sleep advice: “Just close one eye… Then close the other eye…”
The translation is beautiful. A side-by-side comparison of the original French book with the English version shows that the translator aptly expressed the sentiments of the original French while selecting fitting English expressions.
Highly recommended for bookshelves everywhere, this delightful book is a perfect complement to any naptime or bedtime ritual.
March 26, 2023
E: this was an easy book. It's not a very good book. I liked it when they napped and the drawings.
Parent: a sweet book for a much younger age group that doesn't require a storyline, just pictures to point at. But not a must read or classic.
Parent: a sweet book for a much younger age group that doesn't require a storyline, just pictures to point at. But not a must read or classic.
October 2, 2017
The rudeness of the animals will undoubtedly make young readers giggle. Very cute.
June 14, 2018
Not really a good fit for storytime
October 2, 2019
Not the book to read to a child you are trying to encourage to take a nap. Huge build up of many ways to protest and very small pay off for actually taking a nap. Disappointed.
December 16, 2021
If only napping were so simple!
January 30, 2015
None of the animals on the savannah want to take a nap, until a wise little girl shows them how easy it is to fall asleep.
I liked how the author sets up the conflict in the first part of this book--the animals are so grumpy, they're cute...and their excuses are funny--but the girl's resolution seemed too easy and left something to be desired, in my opinion.
I liked how the author sets up the conflict in the first part of this book--the animals are so grumpy, they're cute...and their excuses are funny--but the girl's resolution seemed too easy and left something to be desired, in my opinion.
March 14, 2015
With large and focused illustrations and minimal text, this book is a good choice for baby and toddler story times. The plot is very simplistic and might bore older listeners, but is relatable and focused for younger ones. The minimal color palette also contributes to its usefulness with young audiences.
July 25, 2016
Absolutely brilliant! Those surly eyes staring naptime defiantly down; I recognize those eyes, and will probably be seeing them in the very near future. Ah, naptime, I need to apologize for how I treated you as a child; I'm sorry and I would like to have some of those opportunities back now, please.
January 3, 2017
This is such a great read aloud book. So many excuses, so many cute animals, so much fun. If you are teaching, it is a good transition book from an exciting activity to something more sedate. If you are a parent it is good to get kids to get ready for bed. Also if you are a parent you have heard all these excuses before!
May 1, 2015
This one seemed like it would be really good to read aloud during a storytime. Something about the matter-of-factness of the language. The illustrations were just so-so for me, until I got to the page with the monkey looking angrily off the page while he sat on a branch, and then I was in love.
October 22, 2015
I really enjoyed reading the book, Naptime. The different zoo animals that are
used to depict children who protest against naps were very funny. The text is playful and
any child can relate to the feeling of not wanting to take a nap. The coloring book like
illustrations are simple, but amusing.
used to depict children who protest against naps were very funny. The text is playful and
any child can relate to the feeling of not wanting to take a nap. The coloring book like
illustrations are simple, but amusing.
October 20, 2015
The wild animals are making excuses not to nap and a little girl teaches them how to nap. It's easy! Close one eye, then close the other eye! I think it is a fun and clever story.
2015 storytime theme: naps
Reviewed from a library copy.
2015 storytime theme: naps
Reviewed from a library copy.
October 14, 2014
A silly book about naptime--I wasn't a big fan of the illustrations.
October 17, 2014
A really easy book to read. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the illustrations. Could be a good storytime book.
October 16, 2014
Only a little girl knows how to get grumpy jungle animals to take a nap.
October 31, 2014
Love it! Grumpy-looking wild animals refuse to nap until a girl comes up with a simple and ingenious solution. Great for all of those cranky kids who are anti-naptime!
December 2, 2014
Tremendous! None of the animals wants to go to sleep and they all have excuses! But when a little girl comes on the scene, she puts them to rights - fabulous illustrations!
December 3, 2014
i found this quite creative and perfect for toddler tales...with props!
December 9, 2014
Age: Preschool
An entire savannah of animals refuse to go to sleep for every reason under the sun. But one little girl has a simple solution: take it one step at a time.
An entire savannah of animals refuse to go to sleep for every reason under the sun. But one little girl has a simple solution: take it one step at a time.
December 14, 2014
An adorable book full of animals giving typical toddler/preschool excuses for not taking a nap.
December 29, 2014
Stylish, but slight.
January 8, 2015
I love the long rectangle shape of this, it goes so well with the rough, simple illustrations and the belligerent tone! Great for a sleep storytime!
May 1, 2015
Great for parents to read before nap time.
January 15, 2015
PW Best Book for 2014; but I wasn't very impressed by the illustrations.
February 17, 2015
Playful text perfectly matches each animal’s expressive image, as they give excuses for not taking a nap.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews