I Love You, Sleepy Head

written by Claire Freedman and illustrated by Simon Mendez

I bought this beautiful book for Esther and William on their first month birthday.  I read it to them everyday, beside their incubator and then their cot whilst they were in NICU/SCBU.  It was always a very melancholy reading as the book illustrates beautifully how animals care for their young and snuggle them to sleep and at the time I was leaving my babies to sleep alone every night in a plastic box.  Because of this, this book will always have special meaning for me, and I hope for us.  It illustrates the power of love between parents and their offspring.  For all Mummies and Daddies surely this is a must have for your nursery book box? 

It is the perfect bedtime story and is written in a rhyming text that just begs to be whispered into the top of your little ones head as you breathe in the scent of them, and even after the horriblest of days realise how blessed you are to have them and how you would protect them from any and all of the world.

I Love You, Sleepy Head takes you on a journey around the world to see the young animals getting ready for bed.  With a reassuring rhythm and warm, soft illustrations this book is a child’s comfort blanket.  It encourages faith in child/parent relationships, it promotes kisses and cuddles and sleep, safe in the knowledge that your Mummy or Daddy will be watching and listening, caring for always.

The illustrations really are beautiful.  The animals are true to life and detailed yet they are soft and warm too.  The babies are very cute and the parents look suitably loving but strong and protective.

This story should just be enjoyed for what it is a language rich and visual rich lullaby. The perfect goodnight.

Enjoy this book for a magical end to any ordinary day.