Too Busy Sleeping - Zanni Louise & Anna Pignataro

We've always known we want more than one child {we want 3 if you're wondering}. So we've known since bub was born that there'll come a time when we're going to have to prepare her for the arrival of a new sibling {at least if infertility grants us another baby}. Bringing a new sibling home can be a huge adjustment for a child so I know we'll have to approach it delicately when the time comes so she's not too overwhelmed.

It just so happens that one of the mums in my mothers group added to her family recently so bub's started being exposed to the idea of a new baby. Its sparked an interest in babies so we've got a few "baby" dolls so she can pretend to feed, cuddle and love the baby. I'm planning on using these to help her once a new baby comes into our family. In addition to her own baby doll, I also plan on using books to help her through the transition period.

I've always been a big believer in using children's books to help explain difficult situations to kids. They're written in simple, easy words that kids understand and often explain situations better than we could ourselves. Plus the illustrations also help children to visually understand situations they've never experienced before. So, when fellow blogger {and children's author} Zanni asked me if I'd like to review her new book Too Busy Sleeping, I jumped at the chance. I want every tool up my sleeve for when the time comes.

Too Busy Sleeping - Zanni Louise & Anna Pignataro
Little Hare, 2015

Too Busy Sleeping tells the story of Eleanor, a little girl who's adjusting to the arrival of her new baby brother Reuben. It takes us through her first day as a big sister after he arrives home. Eleanor longs to play with baby Reuben, but he's always too busy sleeping. She faces frustration throughout the day, but overcomes it in a positive way each time.

I can see bub in Eleanor, from her blonde hair to the games she plays throughout the day, her inquisitive nature and even the fact that she eats spaghetti for dinner {which is bub's all time favourite meal}. I know that she'll relate to the story in many ways once she's a little bit older. She doesn't quite have the attention span to sit and take in the whole story at the moment, but she does sit and point to all the pictures with me and tell me what they are and what Eleanor's doing. We read the story, without reading the actual story if you know what I mean.

So many children see having a new sibling as a bad thing, but Zanni has been able to portray the whole experience in a positive light throughout the book, even when Eleanor faces frustration. Zanni explains the joy, fun and laughter little babies can bring {in a way that children will understand}; even though they may not always do what you want them to. 

Anna Pignataro has illustrated the book with beautiful watercolour and collage drawings that compliment Zanni's words perfectly. She captures the magic and whimsy of childhood through her gorgeous illustrations {including the pencil outlines which remind me of my own drawings when I was younger}. The collage pieces are so detailed the pictures appear to be three dimensional. I can't help myself, I keep touching the pages trying to feel all the different fabrics and textures. Bub is super tactile so she spends ages touching the pictures and often wants to go back to certain pictures to look at them over and over.

Too Busy Sleeping will be a constant feature in our house, especially now that bub is getting more and more into books. I'll be reading to to her regularly in the hopes that when we do add to our family she'll be readily prepared for what's to come. I hope her experience with a new bub is just as positive as Eleanor's {and just quietly I hope our next bub is too busy sleeping because it'd be nice to have a baby that likes to sleep for a change}.

Too Busy Sleeping is available in hardback for $24.95 from Zanni Louise and at leading book stores throughout Australia.

Toni x

Disclosure - I was given a copy of Too Busy Sleeping in order to provide a review. All opinions expressed are my own based on the book. I did not receive payment for this review.

Linking with Alicia, Kirsty & Caroline.