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< Picture Books Library
Categories: Bed Time

Wide Awake Jake

The young Jake finds it difficult to get to sleep and after many attempts eventually does get to sleep with his mum's help.
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Wide Awake Jake

Author: Rachel Elliot
Illustrator: Karen Sapp
Publisher: Meadowside Children's Books

Jake cannot sleep despite trying lots of different ways to lie down. So, wide awake, he goes downstairs huffing and puffing. Dad suggests counting sheep but he doesn’t like that suggestion, so Mum suggests he pretends to be a little bear going to sleep for the winter. Jake goes back upstairs to give it a try. Jake’s imagination gets the better of him and in fear of a bigger, scarier bear making noises he goes back downstairs. Again, Mum makes a suggestion Jake likes and up he goes squeaking to bed like a little mouse. Then fearing what a little mouse would fear, he imagines a big fat cat and runs back down to Mum. This time he flutters upstairs like a baby bird and still imagines all the things that could make the noises he can hear and wonders what is pulling the covers. This time he doesn’t imagine and realises it is Mum who tucks him safely into bed making him cosy and safe

Worth noting: Dad doesn't really suggest anything much and seems a little fed up with Jake's inability to get to sleep by the end, and it is Mum who really helps Jake. If dads want help with getting their children off to sleep and comforting them, it may not help as it does not put them in an active role in this situation.
Review by: Kate Proops

Categories: Bed Time
Tags: fears, mother, nightmares



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What is a Parachute Book?

A challenging experience can make a young child feel as if they are in emotional free fall. As a parent, you can’t stop them falling, but you can offer them a softer landing:
a Parachute Book.

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