LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU HAVE TROUBLE GOING TO SLEEP

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU
HAVE TROUBLE GOING TO SLEEP
Susan Kent
New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2000
24 pages, hardback, $16.00
ISBN: 0-8239-5424-2

Reviewed by Lynne Lamberg

"Jonah is having a bad day at school... Jonah didn't get enough sleep last night."

"Serious" books for young children sometimes fill a need that more lighthearted, whimsically illustrated, traditional bedtime stories do not. This book is part of a children's series that addresses weight troubles, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, stuttering, and other health problems. Easy-to-read, large-size text blocks accompany photographs of racially-diverse boys and girls who appear to range in age from about seven to nine.

The concept is laudable. This particular book, however, has some flaws. Consider the primary reader: a child having so much trouble going to sleep that a parent feels the need to purchase this book. This child may have depression or anxiety that goes beyond being worried about a test at school. The child simply may be a short sleeper, rebelling against a too early bedtime. A child who can't sleep differs from one who won't sleep. The book omits an important message for children: "When something is bothering you, talk to mom or dad, a teacher, the doctor, or another adult."

The discussion of what sleep is, and the impact of its loss, contains some inaccuracies. "When you sleep, you are unconscious," the book states. Well, sort of. Even young children know they sometimes hear thunderstorms, fire engines, or crying baby brothers and sisters in sleep, and that thoughts come into their minds in the form of dreams.

"When you don't get enough sleep, like Jonah, you find it hard to think and to concentrate. You feel very tired, and your body feels heavy. It is hard to keep your eyes open, and your eyelids feel dry. You cannot get comfortable. Every position you try in your chair feels worse than the last. You wish you could be lying down. On top of all this," the text adds, "you are probably irritable." --That's a long list, and probably no child experiences all of these symptoms.

As a parent, I would not want my children to think all these symptoms are expectable, only that some of them sometimes occur. In fact, I'd want to reassure the child that missing some sleep occasionally is no big deal, and to emphasize that he or she probably will cope just fine.

The book has a sensitive discussion of nightmares, and a nice review of ideal sleep hygiene. "Falling asleep is easiest," it says, "if you have a bedtime routine." Kelly and Keith have a glass of milk and some cookies, take warm baths and brush their teeth. After stories, lullabies, hugs and kisses from mom and dad, they snuggle under their blankets.

Although this book is designed for children to read by themselves, parents will need to amplify it by talking with their children.