May we sleep here tonight?
What’s inside...
In the charming tale 'May We Sleep Here Tonight?', a group of young animal friends find themselves caught in an unexpected storm while playing in the forest. As night falls and the weather worsens, they seek refuge in a mysterious old house. The story unfolds with the friends encountering various challenges and learning the importance of teamwork, courage, and hospitality. Throughout their adventure, they meet new friends and discover that the house is not as scary as it seems. This heartwarming book teaches children about overcoming fears and the value of helping others in need. In another delightful story, three little gophers, out on a hike, find a house in the woods when they lose their way. Timidly, they enter the warm and cozy house and climb into a bed to rest. They are soon joined by two bunny rabbits and three raccoons who have also lost their way. As they settle down for the night, the owner of the house arrives, leading to a happy and reassuring ending. The illustrations are filled with enchanting details and subtle surprises that will entertain both children and adults, encouraging them to examine each picture again.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How would you feel if you found unexpected guests in your room, like the animals in the story?
What do you think is the best thing about having friends over to stay?
Why do you think the animals were looking for a place to sleep? How does it feel to be safe and cozy?
What would you have done if you were in the same situation as the teddy bear?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about sharing and hospitality, as portrayed in the book. Use the illustrations to talk about non-verbal cues—like body language and facial expressions—that the characters might be showing. Reinforce the values of empathy and kindness by relating the animals’ need for a safe place to your child’s experiences with friends or family.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: In the story, the animals share their space with each other to stay safe and warm, highlighting the significance of sharing resources.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their toys, snacks, and playtime with their peers to build better friendships and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Value of Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters in the book face the challenge of finding a safe place to sleep and work together to solve this problem, demonstrating teamwork and creativity.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think creatively and collaboratively when faced with challenges in school or at home.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The animals show empathy by understanding each other’s fears and providing comfort, teaching children the importance of emotional support.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing when their friends or family members are scared or sad and offering them comfort and understanding.
Example Lesson: Courage in Adversity
Explanation: Faced with the dark and potentially scary situation of spending the night in a strange place, the animals find courage to stay together and support each other.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face their own fears and uncertainties, knowing that they can overcome challenges with courage and support from others.