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Why Do We Sleep?
48 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2026
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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February 14, 2026See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/why-do-we-...
WHY DO WE SLEEP? is an engaging nonfiction deep-dive into sleep for middle grade readers. This colorful, illustrated book gives information on why we sleep, dreams, sleep myths, and more.
What I loved: This is such an interesting and engaging nonfiction read for curious readers. The book features a different topic on each page spread, though all related to sleep, and includes a few paragraphs with information about it, along with plenty of cool facts. The information design is quite smart with the way that text is shown across the page and shares space with illustrations.
The illustrations are fantastic, very imaginative and full of color, sure to capture the attention of young readers. The topics are age appropriate for middle grade readers, and the level of information is accessible for this age group. There is a lot of fascinating information about dreams and sleep that they will find interesting and may want to seek more books about this topic. Backmatter includes a helpful glossary as well.
As a small note, sensitive readers may have additional questions about nightmares/night terrors and some of the sleep myths.
Final verdict: WHY DO WE SLEEP? is an informative and engaging middle grade nonfiction book about sleep that is perfect for curious young readers.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
WHY DO WE SLEEP? is an engaging nonfiction deep-dive into sleep for middle grade readers. This colorful, illustrated book gives information on why we sleep, dreams, sleep myths, and more.
What I loved: This is such an interesting and engaging nonfiction read for curious readers. The book features a different topic on each page spread, though all related to sleep, and includes a few paragraphs with information about it, along with plenty of cool facts. The information design is quite smart with the way that text is shown across the page and shares space with illustrations.
The illustrations are fantastic, very imaginative and full of color, sure to capture the attention of young readers. The topics are age appropriate for middle grade readers, and the level of information is accessible for this age group. There is a lot of fascinating information about dreams and sleep that they will find interesting and may want to seek more books about this topic. Backmatter includes a helpful glossary as well.
As a small note, sensitive readers may have additional questions about nightmares/night terrors and some of the sleep myths.
Final verdict: WHY DO WE SLEEP? is an informative and engaging middle grade nonfiction book about sleep that is perfect for curious young readers.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
September 2, 2025
Die Frage wurde auf jeden Fall beantwortet
"Warum wir schlafen?" von Cathy Evans hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Zum einen fand ich die Illustration von Polya Plavinskaia sehr gelungen und es gab super viel zu entdecken, so dass auch den Kleineren beim Zuhören nicht langweilig wird, wenn es doch mal zu viel Wissen auf einmal ist. Denn davon gibt es im Buch sehr viel. Auf jeder Doppelseite wird recht ausführlich eine Frage beantwortet und so lernt man zum Beispiel die verschiedenen Schlaftypen kennen oder wie es mit dem Schlafen und Träumen im Tierreich aussieht. Die Vermittlung fand ich dabei sehr passend, da alles verständlich formuliert war und falls doch noch Fragen offen geblieben sind, gibt es hinten ein Glossar. Schön fand ich auch wie man auf allen Seiten Schafe zählen konnte, auch wenn es leider keine 100 waren. Die Wahl des Schrifttyps war zum Teil etwas unglücklich, da die Groß- und Kleinschreibung schwierig zu unterscheiden war und das gerade bei Leseanfängern manchmal zu Problemen führt. Auf jeden Fall kann ich das Buch wärmstens zum Lesen und Vorlesen oder einfach nur Anschauen empfehlen.
"Warum wir schlafen?" von Cathy Evans hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Zum einen fand ich die Illustration von Polya Plavinskaia sehr gelungen und es gab super viel zu entdecken, so dass auch den Kleineren beim Zuhören nicht langweilig wird, wenn es doch mal zu viel Wissen auf einmal ist. Denn davon gibt es im Buch sehr viel. Auf jeder Doppelseite wird recht ausführlich eine Frage beantwortet und so lernt man zum Beispiel die verschiedenen Schlaftypen kennen oder wie es mit dem Schlafen und Träumen im Tierreich aussieht. Die Vermittlung fand ich dabei sehr passend, da alles verständlich formuliert war und falls doch noch Fragen offen geblieben sind, gibt es hinten ein Glossar. Schön fand ich auch wie man auf allen Seiten Schafe zählen konnte, auch wenn es leider keine 100 waren. Die Wahl des Schrifttyps war zum Teil etwas unglücklich, da die Groß- und Kleinschreibung schwierig zu unterscheiden war und das gerade bei Leseanfängern manchmal zu Problemen führt. Auf jeden Fall kann ich das Buch wärmstens zum Lesen und Vorlesen oder einfach nur Anschauen empfehlen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
PUBLISH DATE: February 3, 2026
The first thing I noticed when I opened this book was the amazing, bright and colorful illustrations. That being said, the writing is great for kids as well. Rather than "chapters" the book is broken into topics with brief facts so that kids can learn, and read, without losing their attention. This book covers everything from "How Our Bodies Know to Sleep", to Dreams, Animals and their sleep and assessing your own sleep type. It includes a chart for choosing the type of sleeper you are, a sleep flow chart and a glossary of terms used in the book. Overall I highly recommend this book for your kids, it is educational, and mixes in some of the fun questions your kids may have when you bring up the topic of sleep!!
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own
BOOK TITLE: Why Do We Sleep?
AUTHOR: Cathy Evans
ILLUSTRATOR: Polya Plavinskaia
PUBLISHER: Publisher Spotlight | Cicada Books
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 48
The first thing I noticed when I opened this book was the amazing, bright and colorful illustrations. That being said, the writing is great for kids as well. Rather than "chapters" the book is broken into topics with brief facts so that kids can learn, and read, without losing their attention. This book covers everything from "How Our Bodies Know to Sleep", to Dreams, Animals and their sleep and assessing your own sleep type. It includes a chart for choosing the type of sleeper you are, a sleep flow chart and a glossary of terms used in the book. Overall I highly recommend this book for your kids, it is educational, and mixes in some of the fun questions your kids may have when you bring up the topic of sleep!!
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own
BOOK TITLE: Why Do We Sleep?
AUTHOR: Cathy Evans
ILLUSTRATOR: Polya Plavinskaia
PUBLISHER: Publisher Spotlight | Cicada Books
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 48
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cathy Evans has created an informative story that answers the question, "Why do we sleep?" It shows little ones not only why we sleep, but why we need it. There is an abundance of information in this short book, making it a great educational tool, but it did feel a bit more advanced than what you'd typically see in your average children's story. Evans does try to keep it simple and, for the most part, she's successful. It's the content itself that is a bit more advanced, and it may leave the reader with a few extra questions.
All this being said, it is actually presented in a way that engaging, and I can see readers enjoying this. There's beautiful artwork in every page, drawing you in and making you want to read more. The author does a decent job at explaining difficult vocabulary, though this is still a story that might be better read together than on their own to further explain any questions they may have about the book.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
All this being said, it is actually presented in a way that engaging, and I can see readers enjoying this. There's beautiful artwork in every page, drawing you in and making you want to read more. The author does a decent job at explaining difficult vocabulary, though this is still a story that might be better read together than on their own to further explain any questions they may have about the book.
Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2025
Interesting and informative book that covers all sorts of aspects around sleep including why we sleep and what happens when we do, why do we dream and nightmares, the benefits of sleep and insomnia, sleeping disorders and sleep myths. It also looks at how animals sleep, whether they dream and hibernation. There's a lot packed into its pages which are full of vibrant colourful illustrations and there's also a sleep flow chart to help readers improve their sleep quality and a useful glossary. Did you know that giraffes need the least amount of sleep of any mammals, only 30 minutes a day and that people who are blind from birth dream non-visual dreams using other senses!
Perfect for 7+ years #primary
Perfect for 7+ years #primary
December 21, 2025
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and a wonderful introduction to the science & mechanics of sleep. I think children will be especially interested in how animals sleep, as well as the overview of dreaming/nightmares and the meaning of common dreams. Sleep disorders and sleep myths are also explained in an easy to understand way. Finally, the sleep flowchart at the end guides the young reader through a self-evaluation of their own sleep habits / sleep quality to help them improve their sleep. Great nonfiction title for 3rd grade & up
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!
In a colorful, busy style, Evans illustrates this book on sleep using creative paper cut outs to show the bustling world of Sleep - how different animals sleep, what happens to the body during sleep, the different stages of sleep, the many processes happening in the brain, the different cultural attitudes towards sleep and dreams, the many ways sleep can go wrong, and how to sleep better.
Chock full of facts and fun pictures, this is a great science book for readers interested in finding out just why they are being told to go to bed.
In a colorful, busy style, Evans illustrates this book on sleep using creative paper cut outs to show the bustling world of Sleep - how different animals sleep, what happens to the body during sleep, the different stages of sleep, the many processes happening in the brain, the different cultural attitudes towards sleep and dreams, the many ways sleep can go wrong, and how to sleep better.
Chock full of facts and fun pictures, this is a great science book for readers interested in finding out just why they are being told to go to bed.
August 18, 2025
Ein wunderschön gestaltetes, informatives und unterhaltsames Kindersachbuch
„Warum schlafen wir?“ ist ein Kinderbuch von Cathy Evans mit Illustrationen von Polya Plavinskaia, geeignet für Leser ab 8 Jahren. Auf 48 Seiten vermittelt dieses Buch jungen Lesern ein breites Wissen rund um das Thema Schlaf.
Die Bandbreite ist beeindruckend: von physiologischen Prozessen über Träume und Albträume, vom Schlafverhalten von Tieren und Menschen bis hin zu Tipps für eine gesunde Schlafhygiene. Die Informationen werden kindgerecht und dennoch spielerisch vermittelt. Das Schafspiel hat uns sehr gut gefallen, die drei kleinen Schafe haben wir leider verpasst.
Insgesamt ist dieses Buch eine charmante Mischung aus Wissen, Humor und liebevoller Gestaltung. Es ist perfekt für wissbegierige Köpfe, Träumer jeden Alters und Familien, die gerne gemeinsam spannende Themen erkunden. Ich kann es nur weiter empfehlen.
„Warum schlafen wir?“ ist ein Kinderbuch von Cathy Evans mit Illustrationen von Polya Plavinskaia, geeignet für Leser ab 8 Jahren. Auf 48 Seiten vermittelt dieses Buch jungen Lesern ein breites Wissen rund um das Thema Schlaf.
Die Bandbreite ist beeindruckend: von physiologischen Prozessen über Träume und Albträume, vom Schlafverhalten von Tieren und Menschen bis hin zu Tipps für eine gesunde Schlafhygiene. Die Informationen werden kindgerecht und dennoch spielerisch vermittelt. Das Schafspiel hat uns sehr gut gefallen, die drei kleinen Schafe haben wir leider verpasst.
Insgesamt ist dieses Buch eine charmante Mischung aus Wissen, Humor und liebevoller Gestaltung. Es ist perfekt für wissbegierige Köpfe, Träumer jeden Alters und Familien, die gerne gemeinsam spannende Themen erkunden. Ich kann es nur weiter empfehlen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
[I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review]
I loved this little book. its packed full of information and interesting drawings. I will definitely buy a copy for my daughter
I loved this little book. its packed full of information and interesting drawings. I will definitely buy a copy for my daughter
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
This book will answer any question a kid has about sleep and dreaming. Why we need it and what happens while we sleep. I fun nonfiction book.
This book will answer any question a kid has about sleep and dreaming. Why we need it and what happens while we sleep. I fun nonfiction book.
February 10, 2026
This is a very interesting and informative book on why we sleep. It covers how we sleep, why we dream, why we have nightmares etc. It’s exhaustive information in a format easy for kids to understand.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews