Ever have one of those nights when no matter what you do: what position you lie in, how many times you adjust and fluff up your pillow, whether your room is in total darkness or your night light is on....sleep evades you? This is a story about the agony of doing just that and the ecstasy of finally...yawn...zzzzzzz!!!
Unwrapping...
Authored and illustrated by Frank Rodgers
Unwrapping some of the fabulous illustrations for you ...
Tom is experiencing insomnia. No matter what he is unable to settle down and fall fast asleep.
"Mum," he called. "I can't get to sleep."
His mom came in and smiled.
"Don't worry Tom," she said. "You will get to sleep.
You just need something nice to dream about.
Shall I tell you a story?"
And so begins the parade of family members, stories, storybook characters and antics that are bestowed upon poor sleepless Tom to help him succumb to unconsciousness.
Mum, Dad, Granny and Grandpa too all come and tell him a story, all hoping that their story will be the one to make Tom drift off into dreamland....but to no avail.
Finally Tom's favourite teddy bear approaches him,
"I can't get to sleep," said his bear.
Tom smiled, "You will when you have something
nice to dream about," he said. "I will tell you a story."
Was that the magic ingredient that both Tom and Teddy needed to finally curl up together and have a great night's sleep? This perfect bedtime story will bring calm, contentment and happiness as Tom's dilemma is finally solved and a peaceful sleep descends upon the cute little pair snuggled up with their eyes closed and gone......zzzzz!!
The illustrations are soft, dreamlike and match the narrative perfectly. I highly recommend this book.
An interview with the author...
Rapid fire questions
Serious stuff
What was your favourite book as a child?
Rapid fire questions
What is your dream car?
A 1955 Citroen ID19
Do you prefer to give a gift or receive one?
To give.
Do you prefer a sit down meal or a picnic?
I love to do both: it depends on the weather!
Are you left-handed or right-handed?
Right-handed
What is your favourite drink? (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
A ‘flat white’ coffee from my local cafe…. or
any fine single malt Scotch whisky (Bowmore, Glenmorangie, Dalwhinnie etc)
Serious stuff
What was your favourite book as a child?
Bows Against the Barons by Geoffrey Trease. Written in 1934, it’s a Robin Hood story with its basis in real history - a young serf’s view of the struggles of the peasants against their masters.
What person influenced you most in your lifetime?
At the beginning of my teaching career a colleague named Allan Shedden became a kind of mentor for me. An english teacher and intellectual, he introduced me to Scottish folk music, poetry and intelligent and balanced discourse.
What motivated you to become an author?
A desire to be creative and to share my stories and characters with children.
Were you a good student in school?
Mostly!
What do you like to do to relax?
Read, walk, play blues or Beatles on my guitar and piano or Scottish and Irish jigs and reels on my mandolin.
What famous person, either living or deceased, would you like to met in person and have dinner with?
Billy Wilder
What adult authors do you like to read that you can pass on to us?
William Boyd (Any Human Heart, Ordinary Thunderstorms etc) Patrick O’Brian (Master and Commander and the entire ‘Aubrey/Maturin’ series) Patrick Leigh Fermour (Between the Woods and the Water, A Time of Gifts) Barbara Kingsolver (The Lacuna, Flight Behaviour)
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
A rock star. (I was actually in a band for a short while but I guess the world wasn’t quite ready for us!)
What’s more important in your opinion: character or plot?
I’m a great believer in stories which are both character-driven and plot-driven.
Do you have any plans for your next book?
I have a few ideas bubbling away but at the moment I am illustrating a series of children’s books for Faber.
Are there any last thoughts for our readers you would like to share?
Don’t be afraid to try something new.
I want to thank Frank for all his contributions that he has made on Storywraps. On Wednesday he will be taking the mic for Open Mic Wednesday so please be sure to drop by and see what he has to say. I so appreciate his expertise and input and allowing us to get to know him better.
Read on and read always!
It's a wrap.
Contact me at storywrapsblog@gmail.com
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