Wake Up, You Little Sleepy Head!

For all the dozens of books out there about winding down the day and saying goodnight, how about some that jump start our day? These titles are about waking up - in the morning or from nap time or from hibernation. Rise and shine - start another beautiful day with a story!


A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Originally published in 1952, this newly illustrated version by Karen Katz is still as relevant to young children as ever. Written to accompany Goodnight Moon, A Child's Good Morning Book wakes up the world through four toddlers. (Ages 3-5)

Margaret Wise Brown's website
Karen Katz's website
Amazon.com
(Full bibliographic information: Brown, Margaret Wise A Child's Good Morning Book. Harper Collins, 2009.)


Wake Up Big Barn! by Suzanne Tanner Chitwood
Chitwood's torn paper collage style of illustration is what brings this book to life. The story follows the usual suspects of farm characters as they start their day. (Ages 2-5)

Suzanne Tanner Chitwood's website
Amazon.com
(Full bibliographic information: Chitwood, Suzanne Tanner. Wake Up Big Barn! Scholastic, 2002.)


Wake Up Engines by Denise Dowling Mortensen
Your transportation enthusiast will love this rhyming book about a preschooler playing with all his vehicles as they wake up and start their day. At the same time, we get to see real life versions of these vehicles in this preschooler's home town. If you like this story, check out Good Night Engines as well. (Ages 2-5)

Denise Dowling Mortensen's website Melissa Iwai's website Amazon.com (Full bibliographic information: Mortensen, Denise Dowling. Wake Up Engines. Clarion Books, 2007.)

Rise and Shine by Raffi
From the Raffi Songs to Read series, this book is the song put to illustrations. Although knowing the sing and being able to sing along is a plus, the bright illustrations and message from the song carry through. Music is provided in the back. A(ges 2-5)

Raffi's website
Amazon.com
(Full bibliographic information: Raffi. Rise and Shine. Crown Publishers, 1996.)


Waking Up Wendell by April Stevens
The residents of Fish Street are waken through a humorous series of events that all begins with a bird singing. (Ages 3-6)

Author bio
Amazon.com
(Full bibliographic information: Stevens, April. Waking Up Wendell. Schwartz and Wade Books, 2007.)


Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
"In a cave, in the woods in his deep dark lair, through the long cold winter sleeps a great brown bear." Bear is hibernating in his cave and is sleeping through what turns out to be quite a party. The rhythmic lilt of this rhyming story makes it a favorite among young children. (Ages 2-5)

Karma Wilson's website
Jane Chapman's website
Amazon.com
(Full bibliographic information: Wilson, Karma. Bear Snores On. McElderry Books, 2001.)

The Napping House by Audrey Wood
In this cumulative story, a houseful of family members pile onto a rickety old bed for a nap on a rainy day and it is the doing of one tiny flea who sets everyone in motion to wake up. The illustrations are awesome. (Ages 2-5)

Audrey and Don Wood's website
Amazon.com
(Full bibliographic information: Wood, Audrey. The Napping House. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984.)