Can't Sleep

by Nelly Buchet, Nelly Buchet

The ultimate "YES I CAN" for kids who feel challenged by life's daily struggles. In Can't Sleep a toddler faces anxiety at bedtime. With kindness and encouragement, the toddler finds that "can't" quickly becomes "can". With gentle, loving and humorous texts, this board book series presents a range of relatable situations to help children learn how to overcome negativity and anxiety, turning tantrums into giggles and hugs. Also Can't Do It Coming Can't Go Can't Find Them

Genres: Picture Books

12 pages, Board Book

Published August 5, 2021

About the author

Lover of dogs and dance. Author of 2021 Irma Black Award Winner and ALA Notable Children's Book CAT DOG DOG: The Story of a Blended Family (Random House Studio, with art by Andrea Zuill, 2020), the CAN'T DO board book series (Studio Press/ Bonnier UK, with art by Pau Morgan, 2021), HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PET BRAIN (Beaming Books, with art by Amy Jindra, 2022), ABUELITO (with David Corredor Benavides, Kind World Publishing, with art by Ana Sanfelippo, 2023) and A FRIEND LIKE NO OTTER (Union Square Kids, with art by Andrea Zuill, 2023).

Reviews

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been this parent. I tried so many things. And this book gives me a chance to remember and empathize with parents who are going through this bedtime saga now. It also gives kids a chance to see themselves in the MC, who can't sleep. And then follow through all the machinations before bedtime, only to find themselves with half-mast eyes and finally snoozing. Sweet illustrations and the affirmation that yes, even if you think you can't sleep, you can.

[Anne Wynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parents will definitely relate to this book! A child repeats that she "can't sleep" and her parents tries all the usual tactics (glass of water? another book? too hot? etc.) to try to get her to sleep. Finally, after trying everything, she finally starts to drift off. I love the repetition and the child's energy as well as the parent's patience and the sweet relationship between the two. This was a joy to read.

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child can't sleep...or so she thinks. Lucky for her, she has a patient, reassuring father on her side. With simple, repetitive, relatable text, this cute board book takes us through every reason in the book that a child can't sleep...needing water, needing a stuffed animal, needing a song...until finally "can't" turns into "can."

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable board book will have parents nodding their heads as they relate to the very patient father in the story - and will hopefully also have toddlers nodding off to sleep! Colorful illustrations, simple text and the universal goal of sleep makes this book a must-have for every library!

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong with it but we don’t turn to it at nap time