We Can't Sleep

by James Stevenson

Grandpa's rather unusual cure for his sleeplessness seems to work on others as well.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1982

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads databse.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the kids complain to Grandpa that they're having trouble sleeping, he tells them a tale so outlandish full of alternate facts, it seems too good NOT to be true.

"I ran fifty miles . . . all uphill!"

Very cute!

[Emily Arrant]

Summary: This story is about two kids who cannot fall asleep. They go to their granddad and tell him and he responds by telling them about a time that he could not fall asleep. He told them different things that he did to try to help him fall asleep. He kept telling them all these things that he did and the kids kept asking question until one time he asked a question and neither of the kids replied, they were asleep.

Evaluation: This was a cute story for students to read. I would definitely have this book in your class library because it is a fun little book for your students to read. This book isn’t something you would really teach but it could be incorporated into a writing lesson.

Teaching Idea:
This book could be incorporated into a writing lesson. The teacher could read this book aloud and talk about the details in the book that the author used. Students can take this creative idea and write a personal narrative. They can write a personal narrative on a dream they have had or they could make up their own bedtime story like the one in the book.

[Madimeier]

This book is about a little girl and boy who cannot fall asleep so they go and wake up their grandfather. The grandfather tells the two children about a similar story he once had. The grandfather said he went on a run and went swimming in the ocean with sharks and all these other different activities and by the time he was done telling his story, the two children were sound asleep.

[Billy Noecker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of children that go to their grandfather telling him that they cannot sleep. Having dealt with that before, grandfather tells them of how that happened to him. He then tells of exactly how he got himself tired. He tells a long tale of wonderful adventures, and as a result, the grandchildren fall asleep. A cute story that im sure all young readers will enjoy.

[Brooklyn Schamens]

I thought this book was interesting, especially for younger kids because it talks about how the grandpa had a dream once and some of the stuff that he dreamed about was impossible to happen in real life. I think this would get kids to talk about their imagination and think outside of the box.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two children have trouble falling asleep so they go to Grandpa for help. Grandpa recounts the time he couldn't sleep and tells the kids of adventure after adventure until finally everyone is worn out and some even asleep.

Great illustrations

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny! Good for bed time.

[Rachel Rouleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandpa's description of his exhausting adventures definitely made me tired!

[Katherine Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Take for sleep

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Ann and Louie have the most imaginative Grandpa. He weaves his stories with tall tale adventures that spark the creative minds of everyone. James Stevenson mixes his storytelling ability with his fantastic watercolors to create some great read-aloud picture books. If you can't sleep, grab this book and enjoy the exhilarating journey Grandpa takes you on. Maybe you'll be asleep by the end of the book.