I Can't Fall Asleep
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A heartwarming tale of a young protagonist who embarks on a whimsical journey through dreamscapes, learning about the importance of rest, the power of dreams, and the value of facing one's fears. Alongside this narrative is the story of Timothy the sheep, who, despite his many talents, struggles with insomnia. Timothy the sheep has many talents but struggles to fall asleep. After his mother's suggestion fails twice, he lets his imagination run wild and finally drifts off. 'I can't fall asleep' is a children's book that teaches young children about adapting, trying something new, and trusting that adults may know a thing or two about life.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
68 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the story's character feel when they couldn't fall asleep? Have you ever felt the same way?
What tips from the book can we try tonight to help us fall asleep?
Why do you think sleep is important for us?
Can you think of a time when you had trouble sleeping and what helped you?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a calm, receptive mood for the conversation by reading the book at a regular bedtime routine.
Show genuine interest in their responses and feelings, relating them to your own experiences with sleep.
Discuss the importance of sleep in a simple, relatable way to reinforce why it's a part of the daily routine.
Encourage them to think critically about the solutions provided in the book and how they might apply to their own bedtime routine.
Praise their efforts to articulate thoughts and feelings, fostering a positive reading and discussion environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonist in 'I Can't Fall Asleep' experiences difficulties with sleeping and uses several strategies to overcome this challenge.
Real-World Application: Children learn to address and find solutions to their problems rather than feeling defeated. They can apply this to any aspect of life, such as dealing with schoolwork or interpersonal issues.
Example Lesson: Emotional resilience
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character remains determined and hopeful despite setbacks, embodying a resilient spirit.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of remaining positive and resilient in face of difficulties, skills which help them navigate their emotional development.
Example Lesson: Importance of routine
Explanation: By experimenting with different bedtime routines, the character highlights how setting and following routines can aid in solving problems like insomnia.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be directly applied to a child’s life by establishing and maintaining a consistent bedtime routine to improve sleep quality.
Example Lesson: Self-awareness
Explanation: The character's journey to finding what works best for their sleep needs encourages self-awareness and listening to one’s own body.
Real-World Application: Children learn to pay attention to their own needs and how different strategies might help them personally, fostering a sense of self-awareness and self-care.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The character tries various unconventional methods to fall asleep, demonstrating creativity and open-mindedness.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively in their daily lives, understanding that sometimes unique or creative solutions are needed to overcome challenges.