Holly Meade

Sleep should be simple at Papa and Nana’s house, but the whole room has other plans. First come the snores, then the rattling lamp, clattering dishes, tumbling shoes, and a bedtime racket big enough to shake the night awake. Told through a child’s amused, affectionate point of view, this lively picture book turns a common family sound into an over-the-top comedy. The noise may be annoying, but it also carries the warm feeling of being safe with people who love you. With playful repetition and expressive illustrations, When Papa Snores is a funny family read-aloud for children who enjoy silly sounds, bedtime stories, and a small mystery about who is really making the biggest noise.

Theodore the elephant has a big problem. He hurt his leg and cannot meet his cousin at the end of the forest. Naturally, all his animal friends are eager to help by offering him plenty of excellent advice. The crab suggests he simply grow a new leg, while others offer equally useless ideas. Listening to advice is fine, but it does not actually fix Theodore's leg. It takes a straight talking opossum to step up and show everyone the difference between just talking and actually lending a helping hand. This clever and warm story shows exactly what it means to be a true friend when someone is in trouble.