Ms. America’s Review:

I have found there are three mega times of transition in my children’s lives—becoming a ‘kid’ from a toddler, entering middle school (hormones, name-brands, pressure) and the junior year of high school (leaving the nest, learning to drive, college apps and what am I going to do with my life?). Now, I haven’t found a series of books for the last two, but Maria van Lieshout has offered help with the first transitional period—BIG*KID Power books. Her fourth book in this series comes out in March, I Sleep in a Big Bed.

As with her other books in this series, this little book offers relatable pictures for children to see themselves as a baby transitioning to a toddler. One of my favorite aspects in these books is the read-aloud quality van Lieshout offers. Her use of onomatopoeia is super fun! I love making the noises and making the youngster giggle as I read!

There are so many nights of parenting when we just WANT THEM TO SLEEP IN THEIR OWN BEDS! This book helps a parent with a teachable moment during the day without frustration or anger as they are often sleep deprived when the little one insists on sleeping with the parent, or comes crawling in to the parent bed in the middle of the night. It is often easier to let the child crawl into bed with them. But this book provides the idea of a lovey for their comfort verse the parent. This is also a book that can be read multiple times and used as an example throughout the days, months or years when your little one needs/insists/begs to be in your bed.

Vibrant pictures, fun sounds, and an easy to understand message is presented. The use of black and blue colors also helps give the book a ‘night time’ feel. The darkness of night is scary for little people, but with a lovey and some reassurance, a big kid can learn to sleep by themselves.

In the classroom:

Usually I offer a guide to an assignment or a lesson plan idea. This book should be used in the home instead of the classroom. It is a personal parenting decision whether you want your little person to co-sleep with you. If you are ready for the little person to sleep on their own and have tried every tactic you can think of, I highly recommend a lovey and this book. If you are having issues with potty training, binky addictions or awful tantrums there are BIG*KID Power books for these life issues, too.

I Sleep in a Big Bed by Maria van Lieshout (Chronicle Books | 9781452162904 | March 13, 2018)