"Horses gallop with wind in their mane.
They'll eat from your hand - carrots or grain.
But unlike most animals, they can sleep on their feet,
and they won't fall over while they are asleep.
They can do this at night or during the day,
in a stable or field or wherever they stay."
The animals presented on this book's pages will be familiar to most young readers. How familiar are they with where and how these animal families sleep at night? Both author and illustrator are eager to provide answers to such questions.
In a series of full-page spreads, the animals are introduced one by one. On the left-hand page, they are shown doing what they do in the light of day. A poem accompanies the brightly colored images that place the creatures in their own particular habitats. On the right-hand page, they are shown at night with a focus on what they do when the sun goes down. Poetic languge is again placed there, describing what happens when they need rest.
"With tiny clawed feet, it hangs upside down,
making it difficult to be found."
The watercolor artwork is realistic and in keeping with the time of day being described in text. It is defintiely enlightening to discover the many ways creatures find comfort when seeking rest from their busy days. Listeners will be intrigued to learn that golfish have no eyelids, meaning they sleep with their eyes open. Or, that ducklings sleep in a line so that one at each end can keep an eye on what is happening, and sound out a warning if the family is in danger.
I wonder what other questions might arise when the reading is done? Will they want to do further research to find out about other creatures - perhaps less familiar ones?
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