Updated: June 16, 2021
Originally Published: Aug. 28, 2015
While most kids seem to drift off to dreamland by 8 p.m., mine are still wide awake, leaving me desperate for solutions. So, when I stumbled upon the hype surrounding The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep, a book that promises to lull children into slumber, I rushed to Amazon to grab a copy. The glowing testimonials from other parents had me eagerly awaiting its arrival, envisioning peaceful evenings with my kids finally asleep before my favorite show returned.
When the package finally landed in my mailbox, I tore it open, only to be greeted by a surprisingly slender volume. “Ah, self-published,” I mused to myself. Flipping to the first page, I was met with a peculiar “instructions to the reader” section. Right from the start, a bold warning cautioned against reading the book aloud near anyone operating a vehicle. Odd, right?
The instructions continued with a full page of tips, including “ensure you’re not interrupted while reading” and “it’s best to read from start to finish, even if your child dozes off.” Honestly, if my child falls asleep, I doubt I’ll be finishing it, but I decided to overlook that for now. A disclaimer at the bottom added an unsettling touch: “The author and publisher accept no responsibility for any outcomes.” Um, what?
Despite my growing unease, I resolved to act nonchalant while reading it to my kids that evening. As I snuggled into bed with them, my four-year-old seemed genuinely tired, and surprisingly, the book appeared to be working. I followed the vocal cues meticulously, emphasizing certain words and switching to a whimsical tone when indicated. However, by the time I reached the fourth page, I had read a staggering 1,000 words, and this image appeared:
It reminded me of the artsy stuff I used to enjoy back in college, likely under the influence of something stronger than caffeine. And then there was “Uncle Yawn,” a character who supposedly sprinkles “magical sleeping powder” over children and rabbits. Yikes. Just, no thanks.
By now, my son had dozed off, but my two-year-old started wailing, “stop reading!” when I reached the part instructing me to insert her name for a relaxation exercise. “Relax your feet, Emma. Just let them go heavy…” I began. But her response? “STTTTOOOOPPPPP!!!!” Not exactly the serene scene I had hoped for.
I gave it another shot the next night, but this time neither of them fell asleep; instead, they begged for Jack and the Beanstalk instead of my hypnotic reading.
In conclusion, if you’re a parent willing to try anything to get your kids to sleep—whether it’s hypnosis or a book that feels more odd than enchanting—this might be for you. But don’t expect an engaging storyline, and be ready for some unsettling illustrations.
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Summary: The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep promises to help children sleep but may leave parents feeling disturbed and unimpressed by its peculiar narrative and illustrations. The book’s unconventional approach may appeal to those desperate for bedtime solutions, but it lacks a compelling story.
Keyphrase: The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep review
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