Too Busy Sleeping, Zanni Louise and Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books, 2015)
Too Busy Sleeping is an honest and gentle portrayal of introducing an older child to their newborn sibling. The story unfolds with big sister Eleanor longing to play with her newborn baby brother Reuben. But Reuben is always too busy sleeping.
As a family with three little boys, we’ve had to introduce one and then two big brothers to their newborn baby brother. Having a newborn in the house is always a time of upheaval, especially for older siblings. There’s a strange tendency of people to tell older siblings that they’ll have a new friend to play with. I can’t help but think, from a child’s point of view, a newborn doesn’t really amount to a proper ‘playmate’. A baby sibling must be rather anti-climatic for the older children in the family!
Too Busy Sleeping counters the expectation of immediate playmate status with the reality of a newborn. That is, they sleep, a lot! So while Eleanor is curious and excited about the arrival of Reuben, you subtly sense her frustration at his seeming constant sleep. As the story unfolds, Too Busy Sleeping sensitively demonstrates how to gently play with very small babies.
I imagine Too Busy Sleeping would be reassuring to a child who is soon to welcome a new sibling. It playfully conveys that babies sleep a lot. It also sensitively shows that regular family life, like the ritual of meals and story time and the continued presence of parents, remain.
The illustrations in Too Busy Sleeping are truly beautiful. The watercolours are soft and almost wistful. The imagery certainly provides a warm domestic backdrop to the story.
Too Busy Sleeping is a simple, positive and graceful story. The language is uncomplicated and sweet, making it perfect for children five and under. While we aren’t preparing to welcome a new addition to the family, my two older sons (5 and 3), enjoyed reading this book and would chime in with ‘too busy sleeping’. It’s an ideal book for children who will soon be meeting their new sibling. It would also make a delightful sibling gift along side all those new baby presents.
With thanks to Zanni Louise for providing me a copy of Too Busy Sleeping to review. I have not been paid for this post and these are my own, honest opinions.
Looks like a beautiful book. This would have been perfect when we were expecting our youngest – our eldest couldn’t understand just why his little brother seemed to sleep all the time.
It is a really lovely book! The story is sweet and the illustrations are simply beautiful.
Haven’t heard of that one, but it looks cute! Great idea. I will keep that in mind when I have my next – one day down the very long track 😉
It’s hot off the press Kelly! It is a very sweet story for an older sibling.
this book looks absolutely gorgeous!! I’m hoping we’ll be plan for another one soon, so I might have to get this book to prepare my little girl. It looks like a really gentle way to introduce the idea of a new sibling 🙂
There are lots of books out there for older siblings welcoming a new baby into the family but this one is especially sweet! Best of luck Lu xx
I’m not there yet, but this sounds like a really lovely book. I like the look of the illustrations too x
The illustrations are truly gorgeous!
Thank you Claire for your lovely review! I really appreciate it xxx
Oh Zanni, you are very welcome. I can’t wait for your next book!
That looks like a really great book for siblings at what can be a difficult time. The illustrations are lovely too. #ToddlerFunFriday
You’re right Sara, introducing a new sibling can be challenging! The illustrations are gorgeous xx
I love the illustration on the book – it looks so sweet and calming. I can imagine how this book will be very helpful for kids with new siblings. Great review! Thanks for sharing on Toddler Fun Friday 🙂
Thanks Tina, it is a very sweet book and the illustrations are truly beautiful.