Time to Sleep (An Owlet Book) [Paperback]

Denise Fleming (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: An Owlet Book

A warm, inviting bedtime book from a Caldecott winning illustrator.

Bear sniffed once.
She sniffed twice.
"I smell winter in the air," said Bear. "It is time to crawl into my cave and sleep. But first I must tell Snail."

Denise Fleming presents a warm-hearted story about animals of the forest settling down for their winter nap. But, like children who must go to bed for the night, they each find a way to put it off just a little bit longer. Richly illustrated in fall colors, Denise Fleming's story book world is right on target for preschoolers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

W said, "Children will easily discern the distinct clues of autumn's transition to winter as well as the hibernation habits of several common animals, while enjoying this entertaining tale that doubles as a bedtime story." Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS. Frost on the grass. Falling leaves. Days growing shorter. A sky full of geese. Even a skin "so tight I could not eat another bite" is a sign that winter is on its way. Clearly it's not just your everyday bedtime but the long winter's sleep we're dealing with here, as Bear smells winter in the air and gets ready to hibernate. First, though, she must tell Snail, who must tell Skunk, who must tell Turtle, and so on until Ladybug brings it full circle, waking Bear to tell her...It's Time to Sleep. Fleming uses colored cotton rag fiber to create her jewel-toned illustrations, erupting here in fiery autumn colors. Their angular composition heightens the sense of activity generated by the animals' preparations until Bear's solid, slumbering form brings it all to a cozy, comfortable close. This gem of a picture book, subtly informative and poetic in its simplicity, is certain to become a staple of seasonal storyhours and nursery-school curricula. No children's collection should be without it!?Marcia Hupp, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805067671
• ISBN-13: 978-0805067675
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > Time
  • #79 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Fiction
  • #85 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Bedtime & Dreaming

More About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of eighteen picture books, including Buster.

***INTERVIEW***
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Toledo,Ohio, where I live still. I am a midwestern girl.

Q: What is your earliest memory of writing/drawing?
A: It seems like I was always writing and drawing. I wanted to share my ideas from the beginning. A bit bossy am I.

Q: What inspired you to write/illustrate your first book?
A: I started collecting picture books in art school. I was crazy about the whole picture book format. I realized, as I was sharing books with my daughter, that making books is what I needed to do.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests besides reading and books?
A: I work in clay, create art from tin cans, and make art dolls. Right now I am working on combining all three media. I also dye and paint fabric for the dolls.
Planting flowers and painting the outside of my house and studio is what I am busy doing right now.

Q: What one or two words of advice would you give for young authors/illustrators?
A: Experiment with different styles and media.

*From Macmillan's Denise Fleming page.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved using this book with my kindergarten class!!, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Time to Sleep (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book to use when explaining the concept of hibernation and change of season. There is a terrific flow from page to page with a "surprise" ending that my students loved. It is a wonderful spring-board for class discussions and "acting - out" activities!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaches a valuable lesson, October 28, 2002

By 

T. J. Boone (Pfafftown, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time to Sleep (Hardcover)

My 3 year old loves this book for the beautiful illustrations of the animals and the forest during Autumn. However, one night after we read it a bedtime, she looked over at me and said that she liked "how all of the animals took care of each other." If she can get this simple, yet crucially important lesson from a children's book, I would say that the author has gone above and beyond her intentions.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A BEAUTIFUL TREAT, September 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Time to Sleep (Hardcover)

This book is another stunning sucess for Fleming. Beautiful illustrations, which employ autumn-ish color schemes, make for a visual treat, while the story conveys a wonderful message of social responsibility. Highly recommended for bedtime as well as discussions about hibernation (all the information about each animal's hibernation behavior is accurate, and obviously researched).