While You're Sleeping
What’s inside...
While You're Sleeping is a captivating exploration of the world that continues to bustle and thrive while we lay asleep. Through the eyes of the night workers and the creatures of the dark, we discover the activities and life that occur under the cloak of night, offering a unique perspective on the world we often miss. The book showcases various nightly activities including bakers preparing bread, firefighters on standby, hospitals in operation, lorry drivers making deliveries, and postal workers sorting mail. Additionally, it gives insight into the nightlife of wildlife such as foxes, bats, and owls. It also highlights children around the world who are still awake, playing, learning, and reading. This book is perfect for bedtime, providing a world of wonder and imagination for children and serves as a source of inspiration for those waking up in the early hours. The beautifully written prose is complemented by detailed illustrations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think happens in the world while you're asleep?
How do you feel about the different jobs people do at night, like the baker or the truck driver in the book?
Why is it important for some people to work at night?
Can you imagine a new nighttime job that someone could have to help others?
How do you think the world changes when everyone wakes up in the morning?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a soft, calming tone while reading to set a nighttime mood and help your child engage with the story’s soothing setting.
Ask your child to describe their own bedtime routine and compare it with the activities in the book.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to come up with their own character who works at night.
Link the story to your child’s experiences by discussing what happens at home while they sleep, such as parents preparing for the next day.
After reading, consider going through a picture walk, where you flip through the pages again and let your child explain what's happening in the pictures based on their understanding of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the nocturnal world
Explanation: The book showcases various activities and processes that take place during the night, such as bakers preparing bread or foxes prowling in the woods.
Real-World Application: Children can develop a broader understanding of the world and appreciate the continuous activity happening around them, even when they are asleep.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for community workers
Explanation: Illustrations and narratives in the book highlight the efforts of nighttime workers like nurses and police officers who work to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to respect and value the contributions of people who help maintain societal function during unconventional hours.
Example Lesson: Importance of rest
Explanation: The book contrasts busy nighttime activities with the peaceful sleep of the child, emphasizing the necessity of rest amidst a world that's always active.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of good sleep hygiene and understand that rest is important to be ready for their own daily activities.
Example Lesson: Curiosity about the natural world
Explanation: The story's inclusion of nocturnal animals and stars fosters curiosity about nature and the environment that children might not see during daytime.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore and ask questions about the natural world, promoting learning and exploration.
Example Lesson: Cycle of day and night
Explanation: By exploring what happens at night while the child sleeps, the book teaches about the 24-hour cycle and the concept of day turning into night and back.
Real-World Application: Understanding this helps children grasp the basic principles of time, routine, and patterns in daily life.