We've been reading The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep book (the one that so many people have been talking about) for a full week now. A lot of people, like us, just want to know if it really works.

How does it work exactly? Let me tell you all the details.
- the book is paper back
- uses an "improved language pattern that will help your child to relax and fall asleep",
- takes over 20 minutes to read (give or take depending on how slowly you read, which really, the slower you read it the more effective it is),
- has pictures on each page (that you're not supposed to show the child because it will distract them from relaxing)
- uses text cues for parents to remind them to read slowly, emphasize certain words, or use certain actions,
- The book helps calm Owen down. The story is calming, it uses lots and lots of repetition and encouragement to help children fall asleep.
- There are a lot of verbal cues meant to convince children that it is time to go to sleep and that it is ok if they do so before the story is over.
- Because we read it every night it has become a predictable part of our routine, which helps Owen know it is time to get into bed and relax (not that that always works).
- There is a letter in the front of the book that tells you how you're supposed to use the book.
- It's really long in my opinion, and takes me over 20 minutes to read to him. Some nights, especially when O hasn't napped, we don't need much to get him to doze off, but I can see why it's so long -- because it's supposed to
boreencourage children into relaxation. - The sentence structure is awful. It's hard to read at first because of this, but after a while I got used to it. I guess you have to just settle that this is not some great chidlren's literature and remember that the way it is written has a purpose, even if it goes against everytinng you know about writing.
- Here is an example of the text in the book: "--Where are you off to now? asked Sleepy Snail curiously. --I am going down to visit Uncle Yawn, said Roger The Rabbit, because he will help me fall asleep now. How do you, make yourself fall asleep? Asked the Roger" Like I said, the writing it a little awkward and takes some time to get used to.
- The word "now" is peppered through the book, and often serves as it's own sentence. I'd love to count how many time it's used, but I don't have the patience to count.
Just like most things with children, it all depends on your child -- and how tired they are.
Have you tried this book? What did you think?
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