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Table of Contents
About The Book
In the spirit of The Panda Problem, this “funny, raucous, and ultimately satisfying” (Mac Barnett, New York Times bestselling author) meta picture book shows what both diurnal and nocturnal animals get up to while you’re asleep.
When the Earth slowly spins and light fades away, animals hunker down for bedtime. But the narrator’s cozy story is interrupted by fireflies flickering, raccoons enjoying chicken dinners, and foxes planning a nighttime festival. The narrator eventually gives up trying to get the nocturnal creatures to go to sleep like everyone else as skunks, beavers, and more gather for a midnight soiree you’d have to see to believe…if you weren’t asleep!
When the Earth slowly spins and light fades away, animals hunker down for bedtime. But the narrator’s cozy story is interrupted by fireflies flickering, raccoons enjoying chicken dinners, and foxes planning a nighttime festival. The narrator eventually gives up trying to get the nocturnal creatures to go to sleep like everyone else as skunks, beavers, and more gather for a midnight soiree you’d have to see to believe…if you weren’t asleep!
About The Author
Photograph by Lori Morgan Gottschling
Emmy Kastner is an author and illustrator of children’s books. A former high school teacher, Emmy taught English and science in San Francisco. Upon moving back to Michigan, she cofounded the youth writing center Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK). RAWK is devoted to celebrating and amplifying youth voices through the cultivation of reading and writing skills via joy, creativity, equity, and access. Emmy lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her husband and three kids, their dog, and two cats. She spends most days writing and making art in her studio above her family’s coffee shop.
About The Illustrator
Photograph by Lori Morgan Gottschling
Emmy Kastner is an author and illustrator of children’s books. A former high school teacher, Emmy taught English and science in San Francisco. Upon moving back to Michigan, she cofounded the youth writing center Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK). RAWK is devoted to celebrating and amplifying youth voices through the cultivation of reading and writing skills via joy, creativity, equity, and access. Emmy lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her husband and three kids, their dog, and two cats. She spends most days writing and making art in her studio above her family’s coffee shop.
Why We Love It
“Emmy’s silly sense of humor appeals to both kids and adults, making it a perfect read for caregivers and children to share over and over again. Jokes in the text are heightened by visual gags in the illustrations, and you can’t help but be delighted at the story’s absurd ending. This is a really fun one!”
—Celia L., Executive Editor, on While You’re Asleep
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (June 5, 2024)
- Length: 48 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665931335
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
"Kastner masterfully plays with readers’ expectations and format conventions, creating a story that is both funny and thought-provoking."
– Horn Book
"Captivating musings on what happens when we drift off for the night."
– Kirkus Reviews
"This is a funny, raucous, and ultimately satisfying bedtime story. (Also I learned some new stuff about animals.)" — Mac Barnett, New York Times bestselling author
“This book is hilarious and a little magical. Kastner subverts the classic bedtime story with whimsy and wonder. Readers are sure to sleep soundly and dream deeply after they tire from laughing loudly.” — Jarrett Pumphrey, Ezra Jack Keats New Author Honor Winner
"While You're Asleep is a beautifully illustrated, classically inspired tale with a fun, unconventional twist. This book will have you excited for bedtime." — Jessie Sima, author of Not-Quite Narwhal and Perfectly Pegasus
“Simultaneously sweet and hilarious with its clever mix of lyrical lines, unexpected silliness, and charming animals! Perfect fun bedtime read aloud!” — Jessixa Bagley, Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award Winner
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): While You're Asleep Hardcover 9781665931335
- Author Photo (jpg): Emmy Kastner Photograph by Lori Morgan Gottschling(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
