And J.J. Slept - by Loretta Garbutt (Hardcover)

About the Book

This boisterous family needs to quiet down for their newly adopted baby. Or do they? When J.J. arrives at his new home, his family is so excited to meet him! The four children welcome their tiny brother, then, when he falls asleep, Dad asks everyone to try to be quiet. In no time at all, though, the clamor of family life grows loud, with drumming, shouting, chattering. But, surprise! J.J. sleeps through it all. Even with children running and yelling in his room, J.J. sleeps. Is there anything that will disturb him? Kids will delight in the delicious twist: when you're with family, a noisy home is the most peaceful place to be.

Book Synopsis

In this sweet tale of family life from the author of A Stopwatch from Grampa, a boisterous adoptive family welcomes their new baby boy -- who, thankfully, has a unique requirement for sleeping!

When J.J. arrives at his new home, his family is bubbling over with excitement to meet him! The four children welcome their tiny new brother, then, when he falls asleep, Dad asks them to try to be quiet. In no time at all, though, the clamor of family life grows loud with drumming on the table, shouting across the room and chattering to the dog. But to everyone's surprise, J.J. sleeps through it all! Even when the children are running and yelling in his room, J.J. sleeps. "Not much seems to bother this little fella," says Dad. Well, as they discover, there is one thing that disturbs baby J.J.'s sleep . . .

Author Loretta Garbutt, whose debut picture book, A Stopwatch from Grampa, was named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2020, perfectly captures the small moments of family life that loom large to young children. Here, a family welcomes their newest member, who has been adopted, a situation not often portrayed in picture books. It's a heartwarming story that hits all the right notes: humor, a family focus and a delicious twist -- the baby hates a quiet house! It offers a wonderful opportunity for conversations about what it means to be a family. The illustrations by Erika Rodriguez Medina warmly portray the busyness of the household and the closeness of the family members, along with loads of relatable and funny antics going on around the baby.

Review Quotes

A good discussion starter, this poignant, accessible picture book explores grief, the comfort provided by the passage of time, and the way in which memories allow us to keep loved ones in our hearts forever.--School Library Journal, starred review (Praise for A Stopwatch from Grampa)

An excellent and understated portrayal of grief from a child's perspective.--Kirkus Reviews, starred review (Praise for A Stopwatch from Grampa)

This story about loss, grief, and healing is both appealing and accessible.--Cooperative Children`s Book Center (Praise for A Stopwatch from Grampa)

About the Author

Loretta Garbutt is a children's book author, bookseller and voice actor known for her work on the popular children's television show Max and Ruby. Her debut picture book, A Stopwatch from Grampa, was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020. Loretta lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.
Erika Rodriguez Medina is an illustrator and art teacher based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her favorite things to illustrate are expressive characters, grumpy children and nature. She is particularly interested in mythology and folklore from her home country of Mexico. Her previous work includes Margot and the Moon Landing, There Goes Patti McGee! and 48 Grasshopper Estates.