Product Description

What do you do when you're in bed and the lights are out but you still can't sleep? One boy finds plenty to keep him busy. First, he reads a little-under the covers with a flashlight, of course. Then, he sneaks into the kitchen for a piece of chocolate cake. Later, he listens to the rain and watches the nighttime shadows. What do you do when you're awake when you should be asleep? Maybe you could be reading this book!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #964219 in Books
• Published on: 1995-05-24
• Released on: 1995-05-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

Amazon.com Review
The childhood ritual of being put to bed has been a source of inspiration for children (and frustration for grownups) throughout the ages. Prolific children's poet Jack Prelutsky has taken this undeniable truism and run with it in My Parents Think I'm Sleeping, an eye-opening, poetic romp through the multitude of adventures that can take place after the lights have been turned out. From pleasant nighttime thoughts ("I have been in bed for hours, / but I'm sure I'm wide-awake, / for my head is filled with visions / of a forest by a lake.") to philosophical ponderings ("What happens to the colors / when night replaces day? / What turns the wrens to ravens, / the trees to shades of gray?"), children everywhere will relate to these soothing, sleepy poems. Illustrated by Yossi Abolafia with the foggy blues and grays of the gloaming, kids will love snuggling up with this book--in fact, it just might make tuck-in time a dream! (Ages 4 to 8)

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4 Prelutsky turns his rollicking poetry talents to the problems and thoughts of bedtime. Unlike his Nightmares (Greenwillow, 1976), the night visions in these 14 poems are lighthearted rather than scary. "A Spooky Sort of Shadow" is really just a brush and comb; the monster in "When I'm Very Nearly Sleeping" can be frightened away by a bedside light . Abolafia's drawings, accompanying each poem, reinforce the book's domestic, comfortable tone. A literary dessert for collections that, like the narrator of the poem "Chocolate Cake," have "got an empty space." Kathleen D. Whalin, New Canaan Lib., Conn.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Lighthearted night visions." -- --School Library Journal

"Will find an audience with Prelutsky fans." -- --The Horn Book

Customer Reviews

Nice collection of poems
This collection of poems relate to bedtime and nighttime. While much shorter than Jack's better known collections ("New Kid on the Block", etc.), I believe the emotional range is broader in this book. This book includes wistful poems and cutesy-scary poems, that would feel out of place in Jack's funny poems compilations. Of course, there are many funny poems, but the real gems are the others.

High marks to Jack.

Gets him in bed and keeps him there!
I have been reading this book to my 3 year old son every night for the past week. He is a TERROR to get to bed despite keeping him in his regular routine. After we started this book all I would have to say after bath is "time for Parents think I'm sleeping" and he hops in bed without a fuss. The poems are pretty cute and the pictures are a delight. I think he likes it bc he thinks he's getting one over on his parents just like the boy in the book. I am thrilled with this book and intend on getting more from this author.

My Parents Think I'm Sleeping
I just love Prelutsky. I have many of his books and read them to my grandchildren as often as I can. His use of language is so adventurous, so creative and often very funny. It really gets the kids to think and hopefully be adventurous and creative in their own use of our wonderful English language.I must confess I often read out aloud to myself, I love a bedtime story even though I am over 60. Rhythmic language and a bit of a giggle really helps me sleep.