Do Sheep Count Sheep? - (My First Books of Nature) by Petra Bartikova (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Explore the fascinating world of animal sleeping habits and other fun facts in this illustrated non-fiction book, featuring diverse creatures and whimsical illustrations.

Discover the captivating world of animal sleep in Do Sheep Count Sheep? How Animals Sleep, the next installment in the My First Books of Nature series, tailored for children aged 3-6. Illustrated by award-winning artist Katarina Macurova, this non-fiction gem introduces eleven diverse animals, from the industrious ant to the serene koala, each showcasing unique sleeping habits and habitats. Through vibrant illustrations, young readers explore how animals rest in burrows, treetops, underwater, and even in-flight, offering an enchanting journey into the animal kingdom's slumber realms. Delve into the peculiar sleeping patterns of the giraffe, the nocturnal bat, and the laid-back albatross, discovering fascinating details about positions and durations that set animal sleep apart from our human routines.

This book stands as a delightful addition to the My First Books of Nature series, offering an educational and entertaining exploration of the intriguing world of animal slumber. With vibrant showcases of diverse sleeping habitats and positions, this book engages young minds, making learning about sleep variations both fun and informative. It ensures an immersive experience that sparks curiosity and fosters an early appreciation for the wonders of nature. A must-have for parents, caregivers, and educators seeking to introduce young readers to the fascinating realm of animal sleep, blending the magic of storytelling with educational value.

Review Quotes

"Gr 1-3-In spread after spread, Barikova's facts about animals and Macurova's illustrations treat knowledge like gossip, using magazine-style layouts and clipped, expressive language. Speech bubbles from the animals in the scenes add humor, but under the introduction, "How Do Animals Sleep?" is serious information--a bat hangs upside down, a giraffe curls up like the letter C. Readers learn that creatures as small as ants dream, and in a page turn, learn more about sleeping gerbils in a cascade of facts. Will children realize that gerbils don't actually settle down in an iron bedstead, or that the kangaroo sprawled on its back with a cool drink and something to read may be an exaggeration? This is a volume to browse and share, and to use for research only with backup resources available. The real point is that nonfiction is funny, especially in the hands of these humorous creators, who aren't afraid to put the food of the koala (eucalyptus leaves) right next to a scene of a sleepwalking koala about to fall from a branch. VERDICT Tongue-in-cheek a lot of the time, this book conveys facts with a spoonful of joking and children will eat it up." --Kimberly Olson Fakih, School Library Journal

"Unlike many nonfiction books, these seem designed more for personal perusal than for academic use, as they lack standard text features such as a table of contents, index, and so on. Readers won't miss these details, though. Fans of animals, graphic novels, and fun facts are likely to thoroughly enjoy this series." --Booklist

"While this is non-fiction, the illustrations show off a sly humor and expressive style that's much more engaging than a science book. Pick this up to learn a little about various animals and have some fun along the way." --Rachel Feeck, YA Books Central

"Children will learn about the sleeping habits of several different animals, from those that rarely sleep (ants) to those that sleep nearly the entire day away (koalas); along with their sleeping habits, where they sleep and for how long.Each double-page spread focuses on a different animal, giving informative facts along with some humor as well to keep the young reader entertained." --Seattle Book Review

"This book stands as a delightful addition to the My First Books of Nature series, offering an educational and entertaining exploration of the intriguing world of animal slumber. With vibrant showcases of diverse sleeping habitats and positions, this book engages young minds, making learning about sleep variations both fun and informative. It ensures an immersive experience that sparks curiosity and fosters an early appreciation for the wonders of nature. A must-have for parents, caregivers, and educators seeking to introduce young readers to the fascinating realm of animal sleep, blending the magic of storytelling with educational value. I learned stuff from this adorable little book!" --Richard Derus, Blogger

"This clever collection of titles is ideal for animal lovers of all ages. Each double page spread features an animal, surrounded by interesting and insightful information about their habitats, eating, and sleeping habits. Whimsical illustrations elevate the humor of the already comical narratives, making this an appealing choice for a wide variety of ages. An engaging and educational introduction to amazing animals." --Olivia the Librarian, IG

"In Do Sheep Count Sheep: How Animals Sleep, young readers will learn all about how 11 different animals snooze! From giraffes to koalas to hedgehogs, there's so much to learn from this fun book!" --Fun Reads for Kids, IG

About the Author

Petra Bartikova was born in 1984 in Czechia. As a child, she would draw pictures and create her own magazines, which she would then hand around to her classmates. In her teenage years she would invent stories and send them to friends by mail. Although she wanted to become a photographer or a graphic designer, she studied Czech literature and spent several years working as a journalist. She travelled around the world where she discovered children's books which she reviewed on her blog. Having become tired of journalism, she switched careers and now works as an editor and author of children's books.

Born in 1983, Katarina Macurova is an award-winning artist whose innovative work spans from graphics and illustration to 3D graphics. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia, and has won several prestigious awards, including the Communication Arts Award of Excellence in the USA. Hailing from Bratislava, Slovakia, she continues to push the boundaries of her artistry.