Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred)

By Josh Schneider

A boy who will do anything to avoid bedtime finally “meets his match in this hilarious” illustrated children’s book “sure to leave readers in stitches” (Kirkus, starred review).
 
Every kind of bird and beast has to sleep, from the monkeys in the jungle to the whales in the ocean to the ants under the ground. But not Fred. His to-do list is far too long!      
 
Armed with plenty of imagination, this determined little boy and his attempts to resist bedtime are sure to strike a chord with today's over-scheduled families. Drowsy animals of all stripes look on in disbelief as Fred keeps on going and going and going, until . . .     
 
Could it be that, after so much activity, even Fred needs to rest? Shhh. Close the book softly, and please let Fred sleep

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9780544338159

Josh Schneider

Josh Schneider is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning creator of Tales for Very Picky Eaters and many popular picture books, including Princess Sparkle-Heart Gets a Makeover, Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred), and Kid Amazing vs. The Blob. His first book, You'll Be Sorry, was named "Book That Provides Best Ammunition to Parents Weary of Warning Their Kids About Socking Their Siblings" by Publishers Weekly magazine. Josh lives in Chicago with his wife, Dana.

Book preview

[Kristina Hernandez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Adorable and fun pictures. My 6yr old son and I enjoyed this bedtime story. We had fun looking for Fred.

[Heather Peterson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We liked this book. It was simple and silly and the pictures are beautiful.

[thatonelibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars - sleepy storytime for preschoolers; nice details in pictures for one on one sharing; rhymes can bit a bit forced.

[bmanglass · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm a sucker for a rhyming picture book that actually pays attention to meter!!!

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

All the creatures of the earth sleep, from toucans in the jungle to ants tucked in the dirt to monsters (if they exist), but the boy Fred has so much to do. How can he sleep when he has to break the world shouting record, hunt for the legendary Sasquatch, and more?

This is a funny idea in concept but somehow the execution wasn't just right for me. It is neat to talk about the different animals and how/where they sleep, but I found Fred to be a tad annoying. Also, my hackles were raised a bit by the idea posited that books are "boring" and used by parents only to lull children to sleep. It seems like a book is the wrong place to float that idea as the audience is going to disagree.

The illustrations are okay, but a little too cartoony for my taste. However, some of the small details do add extra humor.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Funny take on bedtime stories featuring a boy with a huge imagination who finds all sorts of reasons to stall bedtime.