“Most of us need sleep,” begins a journey through the animal world and a look at how, when, and where different animals get their rest. Simple text in large type heads each page, while an in-depth paragraph about the featured animal follows in a smaller font—the perfect format for capturing both the younger and older reader. Reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and even an invertebrate are all represented, from the familiar cat, dog, and butterfly, to the more exotic tapir, tawny frogmouth, and anolis lizard. Just a few fascinating facts: sooty terns can sleep in midair; before dozing off the parrotfish covers itself with a kind of mucus sack that protects it from predators; and a dolphin puts one half of its brain to sleep at a time, allowing it to still swim, breathe and keep a lookout. The only disappointment is the lack of specific vocabulary—hibernation, nocturnal, and diurnal are words just begging to be introduced. Softly colored, detailed watercolor paintings enhance the text, bringing the animal and its habitat to life for the reader. Good for bedtime, too. (Picture book/nonfiction. 3-8)
