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Sleepyhead
Sleepyhead, Sleepyhead.
Good night, good night,
my Sleepyhead.
Your teeth are brushed,
your book is read.
Go to sleep.
It's time for bed.
One more book,
says Sleepyhead.
Illustrated with great whimsy, this story from the bestselling author of Bear Snores On takes readers on an enchanting bedtime journey through dreamscape and landscape and back again.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2006
2 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Karma Wilson
106 books523 followersKarma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 23, 2011
Ha! This is so perfect for what it is doing. 95% at least of parents and young kids will recognize this going to sleep ritual dance. I love how the author dedicates this “To my Grandpa, who always told me one more story before tucking me in.”
This is the perfect bedtime book, not only because of the subject matter, but also because of the wonderful rhyming and the pastel, comfy illustrations.
I loved the pictures of all the various animals, particularly of the giraffe that’s also the cover illustration, but all of the pictures are so much fun, and occasionally funny, but definitely not overly stimulating.
The story is a fine rhyme that is so much fun to read aloud, with plenty of room for doing the two voices differently, and differently as the story progresses.
I love this book! I see while I’m not alone, I am impressed by this book more than other Goodreaders. I’ll have to go read some other reviews of it.
This is the perfect bedtime book, not only because of the subject matter, but also because of the wonderful rhyming and the pastel, comfy illustrations.
I loved the pictures of all the various animals, particularly of the giraffe that’s also the cover illustration, but all of the pictures are so much fun, and occasionally funny, but definitely not overly stimulating.
The story is a fine rhyme that is so much fun to read aloud, with plenty of room for doing the two voices differently, and differently as the story progresses.
I love this book! I see while I’m not alone, I am impressed by this book more than other Goodreaders. I’ll have to go read some other reviews of it.
January 18, 2012
What a sweet, fun, cozy, imaginative and loving bedtime story. Sooo cute! And, a fun surprise that I couldn't tell from the cover, the little one who doesn't want to go to sleep (until it gets one more story, one more hug, one more kiss, one more blanket, etc...) is a teddy bear and belongs to a very cute cat ;-)
March 28, 2018
So many of Karma's books are delightful, I wanted this to be ... but I miss the endearing art of Jane Chapman. Please do this one again with Jane!
May 10, 2017
The cadence of this book is perfect for bedtime. It makes me sleepy....
September 15, 2017
The first time I read this, I wasn't sure I liked it. The illustrations are a bit weird and not what I am used to from a Karma Wilson book. The animals have mouths that don't look like they belong where they are. But anyway...after a few readings, I warmed up to it. The text is really, really cute and can be read with a lot of expression. My son really enjoyed it as well!
June 24, 2022
This was not a winner. I didn't enjoy the rhythm of the book, I didn't enjoy the illustrations, I didn't enjoy the seemingly celebrated actions of delaying bedtime and stalling (we have enough of that in real life, so not wanting to encourage it with a book that makes it fun!)
I did like how the text is formatted and changes size and directions along the story.
I did like how the text is formatted and changes size and directions along the story.
December 19, 2018
Sleepyhead, Sleepyhead, GO TO BED BEFORE I LOSE IT YOU STINKING LITTLE--
March 9, 2019
Repetitive, fun text placement, good book for toddler storytime.
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February 3, 2020En Espanol
August 1, 2022
Karma, you’re really limiting your audience when you have prayer in your book.
May 7, 2024
My very favorite baby/child bedtime book, next to Dr. Seuss' The Sleep Book. I will treasure it forever and am keeping my copy for Micah to read to his kids one day.
September 6, 2013
Karma Wilson and John Segal, Sleepyhead (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006)
When I was about halfway through this, reading it to the bean in the living room with my wife present, I paused and said to her, “you know what? This is Go the Fuck to Sleep for the pre-lit set.” And indeed it is, with the papa teddy bear getting increasingly strident with his toddler teddy-bear child, who always wants “just one more [x]” before going to sleep until s/he finally conks out. From exhaustion, one assumes; Wilson isn't giving the reader any facile/illusory answers about short-cuts for getting your kid to conk out. Which is kind of frustrating when said child has been awake for three days solid and shows no signs of running out of steam. A little on the long side for the under-two set—the bean's attention span starts to flag about six pages before the end—but very nicely rhythmic. I just wish it would lull him to sleep sometimes... ***
When I was about halfway through this, reading it to the bean in the living room with my wife present, I paused and said to her, “you know what? This is Go the Fuck to Sleep for the pre-lit set.” And indeed it is, with the papa teddy bear getting increasingly strident with his toddler teddy-bear child, who always wants “just one more [x]” before going to sleep until s/he finally conks out. From exhaustion, one assumes; Wilson isn't giving the reader any facile/illusory answers about short-cuts for getting your kid to conk out. Which is kind of frustrating when said child has been awake for three days solid and shows no signs of running out of steam. A little on the long side for the under-two set—the bean's attention span starts to flag about six pages before the end—but very nicely rhythmic. I just wish it would lull him to sleep sometimes... ***
January 27, 2011
I think I'd have loved to have read this to Julia when she was a little baby. It seems like a good one for when you're sitting next to the crib and the baby is in your arms or laying the crib. But Julia's five now. She thought it was cute but I could tell it wasn't really for her. I know if I asked her she'd say the same thing, that it's for a baby.
I'm giving it three stars because it's not a bad one by any means. I should probably mention that if I had read this to Julia at, say, one year of age I'd most likely give it four stars.
I'm giving it three stars because it's not a bad one by any means. I should probably mention that if I had read this to Julia at, say, one year of age I'd most likely give it four stars.
October 29, 2013
Cute little bedtime story. It is funny how "sleepyhead" is just like every kid in the world "I am not tired" and "one more story" you gotta hand it to the little tyke!
So cute pictures, fun "Sleepyhead" (I a monster of some sort right?) or is it a Teddy bear? I read this while I was in serious pain from a back spasms so I can't be trusted to recall facts. I do recall I liked the story. Thanks and good night!!
So cute pictures, fun "Sleepyhead" (I a monster of some sort right?) or is it a Teddy bear? I read this while I was in serious pain from a back spasms so I can't be trusted to recall facts. I do recall I liked the story. Thanks and good night!!
August 24, 2012
I love the interplay between text and illustrations. Karma Wilson is a favorite writer of mine. Haven't tried it out on the little girl yet, so it may get another star if she likes it too. It may be too abstract visually for her right now. I must have seen this for daughter number 1, given it was published in 2006 but I don't remember it. We are looking at board book version now.
August 13, 2013
My four-year-old son checked this book out from the library last week.
What an adorable, dreamy book! The text and endearing illustrations are perfect for a toddler at bedtime. The only reason I'm not buying it for my son, is that he is too old. I will, however, keep it in mind for any babies or toddlers that I might know.
What an adorable, dreamy book! The text and endearing illustrations are perfect for a toddler at bedtime. The only reason I'm not buying it for my son, is that he is too old. I will, however, keep it in mind for any babies or toddlers that I might know.
August 5, 2014
One of my favorite books to read to my girls (at the ages of 2 and 4). We borrowed this book from the library numerous times and I would read it over and over again. We just love it and I purchased a copy for my infant niece for Christmas 2013.
July 11, 2008
Karma Wilson is my favorite children's author. I love this book every time. Sleepyhead is precious and will be given to all those with children, heck I might just give it since I love it that much.
May 30, 2016
i really like Karma Wilson's other books, especially the "Bear" series of picture books, but found the illustrations in this story, done by John Segal, distracting from the text, which has the potential to be a good bedtime read.
January 21, 2011
This is a good book for text to person connections. Almost every child does not want to go to bed and wants to stay awake just a little longer. Also, the edition I have has English and Spanish translated into it. Great for ELL learners.
October 11, 2014
This was a very nice little bedtime story. I enjoyed the illustrations, and the story would be very good for children. I really liked that the book was in Spanish as well as English. I don't see much academic value, but I enjoyed the book, nonetheless.
March 26, 2008
My daughter and I love this book!
May 16, 2008
My husband read this to my daughter when I was pregnant and it's now one of her favorite books (and one of mine, too).
June 4, 2008
So sweet. I love Karma Wilson.
June 17, 2008
From the author of the Bear series. I'm not a huge fan of books that rhyme, but this was a cute book. It reminds me of my niece.
January 21, 2010
This is a cute book to read for bedtime. Plus, it's written in both English and Spanish if anyone's interested. I got a copy of this little book free in a Cheerios box. Funny, huh?
January 4, 2016
Free book from Cheerios for growing young readers. Parent and child alike will relate to the bedtime delaying techniques in this story.
February 3, 2011
Cute bedtime sleepy read for small children that are not quiet ready to go to bed.
July 9, 2012
One more book, one more drink, one more stretch.
October 7, 2012
My oldest still uses lines from this book at bedtime to stall... "one more hug says Sleepyhead!"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews