Bea Reviews Sleep Train by Jonathan London, Illustrated by Lauren Eldridge

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: April 3rd, 2018
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*  | iBooks* |
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Blurb from goodreads:

A perfectly pitched bedtime story and counting book for sleepy train lovers, illustrated in dramatic 3D sculptures!

A little boy climbs into bed with a book and starts counting the train cars in it, between the engine and caboose. "Ten sleepy cars going clickety-clack," reads the refrain. But as the boy counts cars and gets sleepier and sleepier, his room looks more and more like one of the train cars from his book--the sleeping car, of course!

Rhythmically told by the author of the Froggy books, Sleep Train is also stunning to look at. 3D illustrator, Lauren Eldridge, has sculpted an entire train full of intricate details. Part bedtime story, part counting book, part children's fantasy, Sleep Train is a magical ride to dreamland.

My Thoughts:

Working with toddlers as I do, books abut trains catch my eye since toddlers tend to be obsessed with trains. I recognized London's name from the Froggy, and Duck and Hippo, books and knew I wanted to read this book. While the Froggy books are funny, "Sleep Train" is sweet, gentle, and aimed at slightly younger children, two years to five years.

"Sleep Train' has absolutely gorgeous artwork, just spectacular, particularly the colors. I did find that some of the pages were dark and the details hard to read when reading the book to a class of two year olds. It would work better read up close with one or two children.

The counting was a little off as London counted only train cars, ten of them, excluding the engine and caboose from the count, which is confusing for the younger children, and disrupts the counting process. The rhyming is off in a few places but overall the text is rhythmic and soothing, perfect for a naptime or bedtime story.

The boy in the book appears to be non-white, possibly African American. Given the nighttime setting and dark colors, it's hard to be sure, but it seems likely, and it's nice to see a non-white character in a children's book. 

"Sleep Train" was charming and the class sat enthralled as I read it. Whether you want it for sleep time or a child who likes train, this would be a good addition to your library.