Byll & Beth Stephen (text), Simon Howe (illustrator), Sleep Through the Night, HarperCollins, Publishers, November 2022, 24 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780733342707
When it’s time to rest and everything is done,
I lay down my head and say goodnight to the sun.
As human beings our need for food, water, and sleep is undeniable – the very basics of survival.
In Sleep Through the Night, Byll and Beth Stephen (sisters and well-known ABC music duo Teeny Tiny Stevies) ponder not only the necessity of sleep but the joy and comfort that can come from a good night’s rest. Exploring the different ways animal species can sleep in groups and alone, or sometimes to survive, readers are also shown how important sleep is to our mental, emotional, and physical health, and by doing so, allows us to truly exist in the world.
Simon Howe brings to the page a rich array of familial characters – house by house we see different mums, dads, and children as they venture through their day and night. The soft and subdued tones make for a wonderful bedtime read.
Playful, educational, and comforting, Sleep Through the Night gives us great themes to explore including family, wellbeing, dreaming and the amazing animal kingdom.
The picture book, much like the songs from the Teeny Tiny Stevies, does well at helping through big and little life challenges with a whole lot of fun, and celebrates all the parents out there trying to find creative ways to get their children to bed.
Here’s to the laughter, fun and cuddles to help us all sleep through the night.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
