"QUESTION:
What ELSE would make you tired?
ANSWER:
About fifty CAR ALARMS going
off simultaneously.
MURRRRRRP! MURRRRRRP! MURRRRRRP!
YOU DREAMING YET?"
This is not the bedtime story you want to read with someone who needs to be dozing in quick time. It will be a much-appreciated book just the same. Filled with humor and a great deal of noise, it is the perfect invitation for little ones interested in a new bedtime book. It won't be long until they are helping with all the noisemaking. That is an assured response to the rumbles, bumbles, crashes, roars, and other attention-getting attempts to help them settle down to sleep.
The kangaroo narrator attempts to get the reader's attention on the first spread. Not nearly loud enough, it empties its pouch, produces a megaphone, and demands keen listening. Readers are assured they will soon be asleep. Really? A series of questions and answers provides an ever-increasing amount of noise. From monster trucks to electric guitar riffs; from car alarms to a wild and endless chant (FALL ASLEEP! FALL ASLEEP! FALL ASLEEP!); from a magic trick to pet sounds, the narrator continues to try to find ways to guarantee falling asleep.
What about the oldest trick in the book; counting sheep? Might that work? Listeners can't ignore the dragons that are chasing those sheep. Nothing is working. What can it be?
"It's ... what?
It's this very book that's the problem?
Well, I never!
WELL, I NEVER!"
Olivier Tallec's easy style heightens the energy of the humorous narration. Giggles will erupt and readers will mimic the sound effects that are sure to thwart any real attempts to settle in for sleep. The warning from the front cover should be taken with a grain of salt.
"WARNING!
Occasionally, some readers
may have a slightly different
reaction."
And, that's the truth of it!
No comments:
Post a Comment