My Parents Think I'm Sleeping (I Can Read Book 3) [Paperback]

Jack Prelutsky (Author), Yossi Abolafia (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2008 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: I Can Read Book 3

From reading under the covers to watching shadows dance on the wall, these fourteen vigorous verses show that a child's life begins at bedtime!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The childhood ritual of being put to bed has been a source of inspiration for children (and frustration for grownups) throughout the ages. Prolific children's poet Jack Prelutsky has taken this undeniable truism and run with it in My Parents Think I'm Sleeping, an eye-opening, poetic romp through the multitude of adventures that can take place after the lights have been turned out. From pleasant nighttime thoughts ("I have been in bed for hours, / but I'm sure I'm wide-awake, / for my head is filled with visions / of a forest by a lake.") to philosophical ponderings ("What happens to the colors / when night replaces day? / What turns the wrens to ravens, / the trees to shades of gray?"), children everywhere will relate to these soothing, sleepy poems. Illustrated by Yossi Abolafia with the foggy blues and grays of the gloaming, kids will love snuggling up with this book--in fact, it just might make tuck-in time a dream! (Ages 4 to 8) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 Prelutsky turns his rollicking poetry talents to the problems and thoughts of bedtime. Unlike his Nightmares (Greenwillow, 1976), the night visions in these 14 poems are lighthearted rather than scary. "A Spooky Sort of Shadow" is really just a brush and comb; the monster in "When I'm Very Nearly Sleeping" can be frightened away by a bedside light . Abolafia's drawings, accompanying each poem, reinforce the book's domestic, comfortable tone. A literary dessert for collections that, like the narrator of the poem "Chocolate Cake," have "got an empty space." Kathleen D. Whalin, New Canaan Lib., Conn.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060537221
• ISBN-13: 978-0060537227
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Poetry > Humorous
  • #2 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Poetry > General
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Sleep

More About the Author

Jack Prelutsky has filled more than fifty books of verse with his inventive wordplay, including the national bestsellers The Wizard, Scranimals, and The New Kid on the Block. He is also the author of Be Glad Your Nose is on your Face, a collection of his most celebrated verses. He was named the nation's first Children's Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation. Jack Prelutsky lives in Washington State.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice collection of poems, March 14, 2000

By 

"papierman" - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Parents Think I'm Sleeping (Paperback)

This collection of poems relate to bedtime and nighttime. While much shorter than Jack's better known collections ("New Kid on the Block", etc.), I believe the emotional range is broader in this book. This book includes wistful poems and cutesy-scary poems, that would feel out of place in Jack's funny poems compilations. Of course, there are many funny poems, but the real gems are the others.

High marks to Jack.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets him in bed and keeps him there!, October 27, 2004

By 

amihp "Rabid Reader" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Parents Think I'm Sleeping (Paperback)

I have been reading this book to my 3 year old son every night for the past week. He is a TERROR to get to bed despite keeping him in his regular routine. After we started this book all I would have to say after bath is "time for Parents think I'm sleeping" and he hops in bed without a fuss. The poems are pretty cute and the pictures are a delight. I think he likes it bc he thinks he's getting one over on his parents just like the boy in the book. I am thrilled with this book and intend on getting more from this author.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Parents Think I'm Sleeping, October 19, 2007

By 

Zara Norton "Grandma B" (Terrigal,New South Wales Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Parents Think I'm Sleeping (I Can Read Book 3) (Hardcover)

I just love Prelutsky. I have many of his books and read them to my grandchildren as often as I can. His use of language is so adventurous, so creative and often very funny. It really gets the kids to think and hopefully be adventurous and creative in their own use of our wonderful English language.I must confess I often read out aloud to myself, I love a bedtime story even though I am over 60. Rhythmic language and a bit of a giggle really helps me sleep.