HOW ANIMALS SLEEP

Bedtime in the animal world.

Sixteen animal species are portrayed sleeping in appropriate habitats in this Czech import. Each spread includes a brief piece of text set directly on a full-bleed image. Designed, most probably, to be read aloud to sleepy preschoolers, the narrative emphasizes sleep-time behaviors: Polar bears are “tucked in by the white blanket,” and the “briny bed” of sea otters “rocks them till morning.” This would make a good bedtime choice for children who relish facts. But some of this information isn’t strictly true. We’re told that giraffes dream of “juicy acacias” and that cats dream of rodents and creamy milk—pure speculation, even with the technology available to today’s scientists. The author notes that hazel dormice “live in almost every forest” and that readers likely haven’t encountered them only because dormice are nocturnal—neglecting to specify that this species is native to Europe. He also states that “once a bumblebee leaves its nest, it never returns.” Bumblebees in the U.S., however, are social creatures that live in underground hives. On the whole, though, this appealing, child-directed narrative is smoothly written. The other animals covered include pelicans, parrotfish, seals, flamingos, green tree pythons, foxes, peacocks, camels, dogs, and common swifts—an interesting and unusual assortment brought to life by Štumpfová’s beautifully rendered screen prints.

A lushly illustrated and soothing bedtime read—but look elsewhere for animal facts.