While You Are Sleeping, written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon

While You Are Sleeping
Written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon
Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $16.50
36 pp.; ISBN: 0374383308

Review by Amy Brozio-Andrews

If your children are anything like the children I know, then you're already quite familiar with the menagerie of stuffed animals and toys that must accompany them to bed. You're also probably familiar then with soothing children's worries about things under the bed, or in the dark, and so on. But after you tuck in the children for the night, who do they turn to for comfort? Their favorite stuffed animals and toys. A heartwarming illustration of this, with soft illustrations evocative of simpler time, Alexis Deacon's While You Are Sleeping is a testament to the love of a child for her cherished toys.

The book chronicles the myriad nighttime activities undertaken by a young girl's bedside toys: an elephant, a monkey, a teddy bear, and a tiny dog, accompanied by the newest toy, a small lion, who's learning the ropes of what it means to have that coveted spot as a bedside toy. The motley crew starts their night checking the room for dangers (in drawers, corners, behind curtains), protecting against nightmares, and then sets about the general safekeeping of the child. The animals spend the rest of the night keeping vigil -- adjusting blankets to ward against heat or cold, offering comfort during times of illness, even initiating rescue operations when the young sleeper begins to slide out of her bed. And when the day begins to dawn, the little bedside toys find their way back to their places, just in time for the child's awakening, and ruminating with the newest toy about what makes their sleepless nights worthwhile.

Deacon's writing style, paired with his distinctive illustrations, has a timeless quality that feels comfortable and familiar. While You Are Sleeping is told from the toys' point of view, and their hard work and diligence demonstrate their utter devotion to the child whom they watch over. The author clearly understands children's fears, especially of things that could happen at night (the toys even check under the bed), and handles them in a respectful manner that's still on a child's level. The tone of the story is always comforting and reassuring.

Alexis Deacon is an accomplished illustrator; two of the books he's illustrated, Beegu and Jitterbug Jam, have both earned the distinction of being a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year. With artwork that's characterized by subtle colors and gentle strokes, the pictures in While You Are Sleeping blend seamlessly with the story, matching the tone and style of the narrative. A mix of perspectives and layouts makes the book visually interesting on every page, and touches of visual humor add a light touch here and there.

While You Are Sleeping is a sweet story for naptime, bedtime, or just quiet time. Kids who already take several stuffed animals and dolls to bed will find comfort in the story, and perhaps even a bit of glee as they get a glimpse of the "secret life" of their toys.