Sleep, Sheep!
What’s inside...
Duncan enjoys many aspects of bedtime, such as stories, pajamas, and bubblegum-flavored toothpaste, but he dislikes going to sleep and does everything he can to avoid it. His mom suggests counting sheep, which starts as fun until Sheep #68 appears with stalling tactics of his own, requiring water, a bathroom break, and running shoes. The picture book by Kerry Lyn Sparrow, illustrated by Guillaume Perreault, humorously portrays this common bedtime scenario and makes a great read-aloud with its engaging illustrations and sly humor.
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Duncan
Sheep
Discussion points
Why do you think Duncan had trouble sleeping? How did he try to solve his problem?
What would you do if you were in Duncan’s place and couldn’t fall asleep?
How did the sheep help Duncan in the story? What does that tell us about asking for help?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone, like the sheep helped Duncan? How did that make you feel?
What other ways can you think of to fall asleep if counting sheep doesn't work?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story of a time you had trouble sleeping and what helped you, to make the discussion relatable.
Praise your child for their insights and answers to encourage deeper thinking and foster openness in sharing.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to keep the conversation flowing and show genuine interest in their thoughts.
Link the story to bedtime routines in your own home, discussing what rituals help your child feel sleepy.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their own ‘sleepy sheep’ or another bedtime helper, as a creative way to engage with the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: In 'Sleep, Sheep!', the protagonist creatively tries various methods to help count sheep and sleep, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and trying different solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by exploring various approaches to solve problems they face, whether in school projects or in interpersonal challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of patience
Explanation: The story highlights the patience required when things do not work out on the first try, as the character learns to patiently attempt different strategies to fall asleep.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of patience in achieving goals, such as learning a new skill or building relationships with peers.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The imaginative scenarios the character conjures up for counting sheep showcase the power of creativity in problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination to overcome obstacles in their daily lives and to enhance their ability to think outside the box.
Example Lesson: Emotional self-regulation
Explanation: The character's journey to find sleep despite frustration models effective emotional self-regulation for young readers.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in understanding the importance of managing emotions and staying calm when faced with challenges.
Example Lesson: Humor as a coping mechanism
Explanation: The humorous elements in the various attempts to count sheep introduce humor as a way to deal with minor setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use humor to navigate through frustrating or challenging moments, lightening the mood and finding joy in the small things.