SNOOZEFEST

It’s not Woodstock. It’s not Coachella. It’s SnoozeFest—and it’s for sleeping!

Snuggleford the sloth lives in the rural town of Snoozeville. In her bedroom, in a red bed, she sleeps for a month at a time, smiling. Only one thing gets her up and out the front door: SnoozeFest. Carrying a snazzy suitcase with zigzag stripes, Snuggleford joins a crowd—bears, koalas, cats—on the bus to the NuzzleDome. Once there, she chooses her sleeping nook (hammock No. 16), buys snacks (milk and honey) and purchases band swag. A pajama fashion show spotlights the famous designers Louis Futon and Diane von Firstinbed. Bands play, among them Chamomile Rage and Drowsy Duet. Participants fall blissfully asleep throughout, as do some musicians (mid-gig!). While adults will recognize the festival concept better than kids, preschoolers will love the sleep-tailored diction (“naptacular”; “tire-riffic”) and rollicking verse, such as this description of a critical component: “Some of the blankets are in mint condition. / Others collectible, rare, first edition. / Some are so old, they’re all tattered and torn. / This sloth has had hers since the day she was born.” Litten’s digitally created illustrations don’t quite match the wit of Berger’s verse, but they’re quaint and homey, and her nighttime-at-the-fest spreads are done in an inviting deep purple with sparkling lights.

No snoozefest here—great fun.