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The Sandman
This book tells the story of a working "day" in the life of the Sandman. His "day" starts at 7:00 p.m. He prepares his trip with his owl and travels with his donkey. From 7:00 p.m. on he sprinkles sand into people's eyes so that they go to sleep He travels around the world from San Francisco to New York, going as far as Moscow and back, taking care that both children and grown ups go to sleep.
He visits little children first, then teenagers and adults. He even helps animals fall asleep.
So come and travel with the Sandman sharing his daily experiences.
He visits little children first, then teenagers and adults. He even helps animals fall asleep.
So come and travel with the Sandman sharing his daily experiences.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
4 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 25, 2021
What is sleep? To Shakespeare, it was the chief nourisher in life’s feast, while Rumi warned us, don’t go back to sleep. Medical practitioners now tell us that we are likely to get Alzheimer’s Disease if we don’t get enough sleep (I am so screwed). Sleep, sleep, sleep. Okay, it IS important. But children more likely associate nodding off with The Sandman, a folklore-ish figure who has the incredible ability to visit every living creature in the world, every night, to send them to sleep. He really needs to make sure he doesn’t miss my abode.
Two hikers find themselves in an isolated village, where the villagers display hostility to the interlopers’ presence. After a stormy night, they make haste to continue on their journey, where they find an abandoned hut in the forest. In that hut, they discover an old book entitled, The Alphabet Of Sleep.
But that book is something the nasty villagers want, as it will explain the true story of The Sandman. Our hikers are still not aware of all this, for they can never get any further in their journey. There is always a veil of fog or snow to impede them, but it turns out someone is doing this to protect them. The secrets of The Sandman are getting nearer.
There is so much to love here. The book-within-the-book. The strange old woman who rescues the hikers. The fantastical Sandman himself. And Suzanne the Donkey, who very much enjoys the Sandman’s nightly readings in front of a warm fire.
I suppose this book is meant for children. But it’s really meant for the child within us, as the story is written for basic readers. And the marvelous illustrations by Rien Poortvliet! He was famous for his book about Gnomes, but I much prefer this one. This is a world I could definitely inhabit, if only for the assurance I could fall asleep each night.
Book Season = Winter (magic log fires)
Two hikers find themselves in an isolated village, where the villagers display hostility to the interlopers’ presence. After a stormy night, they make haste to continue on their journey, where they find an abandoned hut in the forest. In that hut, they discover an old book entitled, The Alphabet Of Sleep.
But that book is something the nasty villagers want, as it will explain the true story of The Sandman. Our hikers are still not aware of all this, for they can never get any further in their journey. There is always a veil of fog or snow to impede them, but it turns out someone is doing this to protect them. The secrets of The Sandman are getting nearer.
There is so much to love here. The book-within-the-book. The strange old woman who rescues the hikers. The fantastical Sandman himself. And Suzanne the Donkey, who very much enjoys the Sandman’s nightly readings in front of a warm fire.
I suppose this book is meant for children. But it’s really meant for the child within us, as the story is written for basic readers. And the marvelous illustrations by Rien Poortvliet! He was famous for his book about Gnomes, but I much prefer this one. This is a world I could definitely inhabit, if only for the assurance I could fall asleep each night.
Book Season = Winter (magic log fires)
July 20, 2024
Physically accurate Klaas Vaak lore, insane. Didn't expect this at all. It actually explains how he travels faster than the speed of light so he could even make astronauts who are moving at the speed of light fall asleep. It biologically explains the effects of sleeping sand...
And then I haven't even talked about the illustrations... Rien Poortvliet might be the best Dutch illustrator ever.
And then I haven't even talked about the illustrations... Rien Poortvliet might be the best Dutch illustrator ever.
December 31, 2020
Loved the illustrations, the text wasn't for me.
June 25, 2025
I bought this book because the cover looked very pleasant, it's about a folkloric creature and it's from the same two that wrote "Gnomes". I was expecting a children's story, but was amusingly surprised that it's a bit stranger than that. This book is a weird mix of basic science sleep facts for kids (some either outdated or a bit vague), a list of sleep-related items/activities arranged along the alphabet (Alcove, Bed, etc.), and pseudo facts about The Sandman, his workers and the sleep sand he uses to put people to sleep. It's rather funny and amusing to read, but I wonder if putting made up facts and actual facts integrated together deadpan style might be too confusing to children, not to mention that some of the science is a bit outdated or narrow nowadays. Plus, there's some kind of vaguely xenophobic remarks about other parts of the world, that while not overtly offensive or ill-intended, isn't the best feeling or influence. This book even has mentions of alchol abuse (in that it negatively affects sleep), weirdly enough. I think the best demographic for this book is for dorks like myself who like folkloric creatures, weird books and having a laugh. Maybe for parents to read with a 10 year old or so as they can appreciate the humor together without getting confused. The illustrations are super beautifully colored with a really cozy color palette, and with cool shapes and decorations, even though some of the animals and people look a bit uncanny. I'll keep it on my shelf for the coziness and weird factor.
August 25, 2016
The illustrations are so absolutely wonderful that it really is a pity that the text is less than satisfying. There are some great ideas in there - charming, imaginative and funny - and I like the overall premise a lot, but the narrative is badly structured, and the ending is too abrupt and thus disappointing. I consider the book a partial waste of potential, but then again, I'm happy it was published, as I wouldn't want to have missed out on those delicious pictures.
If only the quality of the text had matched that of the illustrations, I'd have given the book five stars.
If only the quality of the text had matched that of the illustrations, I'd have given the book five stars.
February 23, 2021
i have t read this book in 10 years but i remember that it was very good and all i thought about for a solid year of my life..wnj
October 11, 2019
I love this book! I’ve read this book many times over the years and still delight in the illustrations and story of the sandman and his friends, even though 30 years have passed since I first fell in love with the story. The illustrations are what really make this book so special. I’m in the middle of reading it aloud to my husband since he claimed to think the sandman wasn’t real. But thanks to this book, I know better ;). The translation is a bit clunky in places but it’s totally worth it. Definitely give it a read the next time you’re having trouble sleeping!
April 28, 2024
Absolutely charming illustrations.
Two hikers in the Italian alps find the castle where the little gnome, Sandman lives and where he - Santa Clause-like, travels the world every night putting everyone to sleep.
The Alphabet portion of the book was quaint and worked well. The rest of text is a bit dated and clunky. But the picture and mood bring it up to 4 stars.
Two hikers in the Italian alps find the castle where the little gnome, Sandman lives and where he - Santa Clause-like, travels the world every night putting everyone to sleep.
The Alphabet portion of the book was quaint and worked well. The rest of text is a bit dated and clunky. But the picture and mood bring it up to 4 stars.
November 23, 2017
Beautiful and fun to read with children
February 14, 2018
A wonderful book explaining how sleep REALLY works and showing the habits of and science behind the sandman himself.
November 14, 2018
My favourite bedtime companion.
December 23, 2022
Illustrazioni bellissime, ma il testo non è all'altezza, peccato
March 10, 2024
Most beautiful and imaginative art books I’ve seen-
All of his books!!! This one is really quirky funny!!
All of his books!!! This one is really quirky funny!!
September 4, 2024
Beautiful illustrations and a great story for bed time.
July 7, 2025
Wat een fijn boek, leuke tekst met prachtige illustraties.
July 6, 2022
Het Boek van Klaas Vaak en het ABC van de Slaap by Rien Poortvliet
(in English: The Book of the Sandman and the Alphabet of Sleep)
By far the largest part of the world's population goes to bed at night with the idea that sleep will come automatically. They do not realize how hard the job is that has to be done. The dutiful person doing this job, the Sandman, and the job itself are described in this beautiful book. It describes the Sleeping Sand, from the preparation to the administration, to the carrying out of the Sandman’s daily task without counting on gratitude but also without ever losing heart. The Sandman knows no holidays, no illness, no Sundays nor public holidays. I love Rien Poortvliet’s work. His drawings and paintings are always beautiful and fun. I find the subjects his books are about interesting: history and folklore. They are always written with a wink, Poortvliet is never taking himself too serious. A lovely book to read, to just look at or to read to someone. 4,5 out of 5,0 for this one.
(in English: The Book of the Sandman and the Alphabet of Sleep)
By far the largest part of the world's population goes to bed at night with the idea that sleep will come automatically. They do not realize how hard the job is that has to be done. The dutiful person doing this job, the Sandman, and the job itself are described in this beautiful book. It describes the Sleeping Sand, from the preparation to the administration, to the carrying out of the Sandman’s daily task without counting on gratitude but also without ever losing heart. The Sandman knows no holidays, no illness, no Sundays nor public holidays. I love Rien Poortvliet’s work. His drawings and paintings are always beautiful and fun. I find the subjects his books are about interesting: history and folklore. They are always written with a wink, Poortvliet is never taking himself too serious. A lovely book to read, to just look at or to read to someone. 4,5 out of 5,0 for this one.
January 7, 2009
This book I bought after my son asked me a question. He wanted to know what is sleep...
He was too young to explain it scientifically (not that I was able to do THAT), so when I went to the book store and asked around, the sales person gave me this book.
And both he and I loved it very much. The drawings are great and the story about the Sandman is too. Well, Sandman in gnome form, but that doesn't change the story at all or make it less interesting.
He was too young to explain it scientifically (not that I was able to do THAT), so when I went to the book store and asked around, the sales person gave me this book.
And both he and I loved it very much. The drawings are great and the story about the Sandman is too. Well, Sandman in gnome form, but that doesn't change the story at all or make it less interesting.
October 25, 2014
I love this book! Instead of Santa and the Tooth Fairy, as a little kid I believed in the Sandman and hid this book under my bed (as it instructs you to keep it safe). No one I knew ever read it. I still have mine and I love the illustrations (such as his tiny flying donkey!)
May 6, 2010
A childhood favorite. Love the illustrations - although I hardly would call them that - paintings, more like.
April 12, 2012
the translation doesn't flow v.well, but still i enjoyed it.
January 8, 2013
This is charming, and works wonders as a cure for insomnia (both mine and my children's), as it is clearly meant to do. The illustrations are beautiful, too.
January 6, 2014
Oh, how DELIGHTFUL! Such a clever story, such beautifully rendered illustrations ... yes, yes, and yes!
March 7, 2016
Gorgeously illustrated. Too bad my rabbit ate it.
And how often do you find an orangutan in a night cap anyways?
And how often do you find an orangutan in a night cap anyways?
September 17, 2018
Beautifully illustrated. Although the intended audience is children, adults will also enjoy and appreciate the narrative.
I’d recommend this to be a classic book to have around the house.
I’d recommend this to be a classic book to have around the house.
June 29, 2025
VERY WORDY but quite good
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews