"Two brothers discover how to talk themselves to sleep."
May 2026 Debut of the Month
In her debut authored picturebook, the 2025 Klaus Flugge prize winning illustrator has created a delightful story of two brothers at bedtime.
Young Magnus shares a room with his big brother Kaspar, but he cannot get to sleep and has to rouse his long-suffering brother to tell him so. Magnus does not like his bed: it’s too lumpy, too cold and too big! Each reason is strikingly illustrated in little vignettes, which make his points very clear.
He asks if he can share Kaspar’s bed and is allowed to climb in, ‘ But NO talking’. There is little chance of that! Magnus has all the characteristic inquisitiveness of young children, and he wants to know why we sleep in beds and so begins a wonderfully imaginative conversation between the boys, as they take turns to suggest a sleeping place and then to point out the problems.
Each increasingly outrageous suggestion, such as their father’s pyjama pockets, is comically illustrated in great detail, with a lovely use of scale and perspective, as well as gorgeous nighttime tones. This will, I am sure, spark lots of discussion with young readers pointing out the pros and cons of each proposal and perhaps suggesting where they would like to sleep.
Actually, compared to a dark cave filled with unknown monsters creeping up on them, perhaps the warm and cosy bed seems just right after all!
Before you know it, Magnus is asleep and finally poor Kaspar can sleep in peace! The warm, evocative and amusing illustrations are very engaging, and I have no doubt that this highly relatable story with its wonderfully realistic portrayal of a sibling relationship, will prove to be a very popular bedtime read.
In Emma’s enchanting world, bedtime can be cosy, but it can also present challenges!
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In Emma’s enchanting world, bedtime can be cosy, but it can also present challenges! Two brothers share a room.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed I Can't Sleep and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old
I Can't Sleep features in the following genres: Featured Books for 3+ readers, Featured Books for 5+ readers, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Bedtime Stories for Children, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Picture storybooks, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts
Hardback. £11.69, down from the £12.99 cover price. In Stock.
I Can't Sleep was written by Emma Farrarons and published by Rocket Bird Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
I Can't Sleep has 32 pages
£11.69, reduced from £12.99. In Stock.
