I'm Really Not Tired [Hardcover]

Lori Sunshine (Author), Jeffrey Ebbeler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Even before Dad tucks him in, Samuel McKay has devised a plan to find out what really goes on in his house after bedtime—he waits until Dad has shut the light before tiptoeing out of his room with his trusted furry accomplice, Petey Bear, determined to find the truth. Sam imagines fish swimming in the bathroom pipes, a thousand toy trains in the basement, a zoo in the guest room, and a rocket in Dad's parking place. Each wildly imagined activity is highlighted on the wall by Pete's flashlight beam as the daring pair quietly and carefully creep through the house. They persist, finally reaching the den and the moment of truth. Sam's parents, of course, are simply relaxing; Dad does the crossword, and Mom is reading. Disappointed, Sam and Petey trudge back up to bed. This romping, rhyming adventure will prove once and for all that kids aren't missing out on anything special after bedtime. Or are they? In the final wordless image, Mom and Dad are eating pink ice cream and cake at a private little party, perhaps celebrating that they've won the bedtime battle—at least until tomorrow night.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—Sam is convinced that all the best things happen after he goes to bed. Envisioning a circus in the kitchen, a zoo in the guest room, fish swimming in the bathroom drains, and more, he hatches a plan to sneak downstairs and discover the fun for himself. Sunshine's rhyme scheme works well when the lines are shorter and the action moves quickly. However, when the sentences are longer, the phrasing is sometimes awkward. Ebbeler's acrylic paintings feature a likable round-faced boy and a stuffed panda accomplice whose facial expressions look convincingly real. Spreads with multiple smaller illustrations depicting Sam's sneak attack on his parents are mixed with detailed full-page paintings showing his imaginative ideas. When he eventually makes it downstairs, he is disappointed to see his parents just reading and relaxing. But on the last page, the illustration reveals the adults quietly but enthusiastically eating huge pieces of cake.—Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ
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Review

An Accelerated Reader book

 

Gold Mom's Choice Award in the category of bedtime stories

"[When] Sam is convinced that all the best things happen after he goes to bed . . . he hatches a plan to sneak downstairs and discover the fun for himself. . . . Ebbeler's acrylic paintings feature a likable round-faced boy and a stuffed panda accomplice whose facial expressions look convincingly real."  —School Library Journal

"This read-aloud picture book explores universal curiosity about what really goes on in a child's house at night, in rhyme and with humor. It will strike a chord with kids and parents alike."  —Children's Literature

"Sunshine's rhyming style makes the story much more fun to read aloud. Ebbeler's illustrations turn imagination into visual reality with vibrant colors and detail."  —Sacramento Book Review

"A little boy . . . and his toy panda slowly, carefully slip down the stairs, getting caught once when a stair squeaks, then finally peep around a corner to see his mother and dad doing . . . nothing at all!"  —The Courier-Journal

"Deals with a problem that is often at its worst on Christmas Eve: the reluctance of young children to go to bed. . . . One night Sam and his sidekick, Petey Bear, sneak downstairs to spy on the ruckus. What they find is a revelation."  —The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

"This fun, curious picture book asks the very important question 'what do we miss when we go to sleep?' . . . At times reminiscent of classic Dr. Seuss. . . . fun and colorful pastel illustrations. . . . It would also work well as a read-aloud in a group." —Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media

"The real hit of the book is Sam's imagination revealed in all its magic on each page."  —MyShelf.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Flashlight Press (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979974615
• ISBN-13: 978-0979974618
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal at Bedtime, October 24, 2008

By 

K. Kostka "rocket mom" (Southern WI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'm Really Not Tired (Hardcover)

This is a perfect bedtime book. Clever rhymes tell the story of Samuel who studies the main problem of bedtime, and the clever illustrations add to the story line. Like Samuel, I used to suspect that while I was tucked into my bed, the grownups were busy having all sorts of fun. Ms. Sunshine's book explores that theme to show kids what they are really missing. It's an imaginative and fun book, and shows that investigation can be a great adventure. My 8-yr-old and 5-yr-old kids loved it: big sister wants to read it to little sister! Perfect for curious kids, and early readers, and the bit of repeating rhymes are great for little kids who are into repetition (again, again!).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect bedtime story!, October 28, 2008

By 

V. Foley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I'm Really Not Tired (Hardcover)

Finally! A book about a kid like mine! My son and daughter were always convinced they were missing out on fun after bedtime. My son laughed out loud seeing himself in the book. "I'm Really Not Tired!" is an adorable bedtime book. It's funny, and beautifully illustrated with wonderful detail. And the little boy has such a wild imagination! Your kids will love this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catches Your Attention, November 30, 2008

By 

Ro Belle "Ro Belle" (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm Really Not Tired (Hardcover)

The title of the book is what grabs you first and then the size is perfect for little ones to view as you read the amazing rhyming story that all can relate to and the illustrations are fabulous too. So many people have commented on "That is what my kids say all the time". Just adorable for an anytime gift. Perfect for a child's library!