Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book facts for kids
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| Author | Dr. Seuss |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Dr. Seuss |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Random House |
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Publication date
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1962 (renewed 1990) |
| Pages | 56 |
| ISBN | 978-0-394-80091-2 |
| OCLC | 181508 |
| 811 | |
| LC Class | PZ8.3.G276 Do |
| Preceded by | The Sneetches and Other Stories |
| Followed by | Dr. Seuss's ABC |
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book, often called The Sleep Book, is a fun children's book written by Dr. Seuss in 1962. It's all about sleep! The story follows many different characters as they get ready for a deep slumber. You'll see creatures like Jo and Mo Redd-Joff who love competitive sleep-talking. There's even a group near Finnigan Fen that enjoys sleepwalking together. The book begins with a tiny bug named Van Vleck letting out a big yawn. This one yawn starts a huge chain reaction, making "ninety-nine zillion nine trillion and two" creatures fall asleep!
Contents
What's the Story About?
The book feels like a news report about how many people are sleeping around the world. It starts with a "very small bug" called Van Vleck yawning. The narrator then tells us this yawn is super important news. Why? Because yawns are contagious! This one yawn will cause sleep to spread everywhere.
A Trip Around the World of Sleep
The narrator takes us on a journey to different places. We visit Herk-Heimer Falls, the Castle of Krupp, and the towns of Culppeper Springs and Mercedd. In these places, funny groups of people go to sleep together. For example, there's a "Hinkle Horn Honking Club" all falling asleep.
Strange Sleepers and Counting Them
Many unique creatures also go to sleep. You'll meet a Collapsible Frink and the Chippendale Mupp. The narrator explains how they count all these sleepers. They use a special machine called an "Audio Telly O-Tally O-Count." This machine "spies" on people to know exactly when they went to bed!
Sleep Sports and More Sleepers
The story also shares the latest news in sleep-talking and sleepwalking sports. After that, we go back to visiting more places, like the Zwieback Motel and the District of Dofft. We also meet more creatures, such as the Foona Lagoona Baboona and a Jedd.
Finally, the book announces that "Ninety Nine Zillion, Nine Trillion and Two" creatures are now asleep. Then it asks, "What about you?" The very last line of the book is a simple, sweet "Good night."
Who Was Dr. Seuss?
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was a famous author. He published his first children’s book in 1937. It was actually turned down 27 times by publishers before it was finally printed!
Dr. Seuss's Big Successes
His first really big hit was The Cat in the Hat in 1957. People loved it right away! After that, Dr. Seuss wrote 45 more books for kids. Some of his most famous books include The Lorax, Green Eggs and Ham, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and Oh, The Places You'll Go!.
Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book was his 21st children’s book. It came out after The Sneetches and Other Stories (1961) and before Dr. Seuss's ABC (1963). Later, in 1993, Random House Home Video released a version of this book on VHS. It was narrated by the talented actress Madeline Kahn.
What Kind of Book Is It?
Like many of Dr. Seuss's other works, Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book is a fictional story. It's part of children’s literature. It's special because of its fun rhythm and rhymes.
Dr. Seuss's Unique Style
His drawings are also very famous. He creates a wide variety of unique creatures and funny situations. Dr. Seuss often uses his favorite colors: red, yellow, and turquoise. Sometimes he adds hints of purple, or a splash of orange for Moose Juice and green for Goose Juice!
How the Book Changed Over Time
Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book went through several changes before it was finished. In one early version, the County of Keck was called the County of Teck. Also, the bug Van Vleck was named Van Geck.
Early Draft Ideas
Another early draft of the book included a poem that read:
A report just came in from the Island of Krox
That a Snidd has taken off both of his socks
And has hung them with care on the edge of his chair And is now fast asleep with a rose in his hair
In yet another draft, the narrator was from "The Nightly News about just who's taking their nightly snooze."
Book Details
- Format: Hardcover
- ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-394-80091-2
- Category: Juvenile Fiction - Bedtime & Dreams, Juvenile Fiction - Stories In Verse
- Author: Dr. Seuss
- Also Available: As an eBook.
