Title: I Dare You Not to Yawn
Author/Illustrator: Helene Boudreau and Serge Bloch
Publisher: Candlewick Press, $18 CND
Publication Date: 2013
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780763650704
For ages: 3-5
Type: Picture Book
When bedtime nears, do not yawn. Your eyes may water. Your chin will quiver. But, a yawn can lead you to bed. And, who wants to go to bed early? So, don’t think of your cuddly blanket or baby orangutans stretching their arms out for a hug. Don’t think of Baa Baa Black Sheep or any other nursery rhyme. Avoid opening your mouth, curling your tongue back, stretching your arms out wide and letting out a big, big yawn.
I don’t think I’ve read this story without yawning and your kids will probably yawn too. I read this story during our weekly bedtime stories program. The story reads like a cautionary tale: if you yawn, you will have to go to bed. Who wants to go to bed early? I had kids who were squirming with their hands over their mouths. The pictures are simple, but expressive. The character’s big eyes are wide enough to tell the story. I would recommend this book for bedtime stories program, otherwise, during regular storytime its quite trivial.
Rock the Library 