What our readers say
Manhattan Book Review
Everyone needs to sleep! Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night is a wonderful book for young children that will teach them about some of the most popular underwater creatures and their sleeping habits. The first thing I noticed about this book was the beautiful, calming colors presented on the front cover of the book which shows some of the animals featured in the book. These watercolor-style illustrations continue throughout the book and children will enjoy feeling as if they are on the beach or underwater observing the creatures.
The book is written in four-line prose with the first two lines rhyming and the second two lines rhyming. The author gives some really fun facts about each of the animals featured. These facts include the color-changing properties of an octopus, that the seahorse holds onto a plant or coral while it sleeps so it doesn’t drift away, how only one side of a dolphin’s brain is asleep when it is sleeping, and so many more interesting facts.
Parents will be able to have discussions about the animals with their children, asking them which ones they like the most or find the most intriguing. I feel that many fun conversations could come up when talking about underwater animals sleeping and although the book is not very long, it will spark interest in young minds. A child may find that he or she wants to learn more about the animals featured in the book.
While Authors Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmon do an exemplary job of creating a rhyming underwater adventure for young ones, my favorite part of the book was the illustrations that accompanied the poems. Illustrator Ruth E. Harper has a magic hand when it comes to creating the scenes in the book. As I read each page and took in the scenery and the animals featured, I felt the calmness of the sea and a whole ecosystem that we, as humans, don’t see on a day-to-day basis. Under the sea, we can observe how animals interact with one another such as the anemone and clownfish. Before reading this book, I had no idea that clownfish live and sleep in anemones which are poisonous to other fish. I also found it interesting that a walrus can go days without rest and can sleep on land or in water.
Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night is the perfect bedtime story for young children as sometimes just thinking about sleep can make us yawn and be ready for a sweet goodnight. I recommend this book for children ages three to eight, however, I think older children would also enjoy reading this book to younger siblings.
Kristi Elizabeth
“Parents can rest assured that Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? is a wonderful book for their children to learn more about the ocean and the animals that live in it. The book does a great job capturing the awesome and unique ways animals live and sleep in the ocean, and with a wide selection of animals and accurate illustrations, it's a great foundation for aspiring marine biologists!"
-Matt Streich, Ph.D., Marine Research Scientist, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
"The clever story and whimsical illustrations in Alice and Greta will delight children with a good lesson about getting along with others."
Former President Jimmy Carter
An outstanding, inspiring picture book for young children hoping to learn more about the creatures living in our oceans. With beautiful illustrations and rhyming verse, the book will spark curiosity in a new generation of ocean lovers and champions, creating a connection to the majestic creatures with whom we share this blue planet. Highly recommended.
Aaron Kinnari, Cofounder, Only One, an organization focused on advancing ocean protection and climate action
Readers' Favorite Review
When a children’s book teaches you a few things, you know it is a rather special educational book. Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep At Night? by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons delves deeper into the facts about ocean creatures' sleeping habits, from the stingray to the great white shark. Children between the ages of 6-8 years will not get bored with learning more via this tremendous book. Each animal has two pages dedicated to it, with not only facts about their sleeping habits but also details about them in general. The book is colorful with interesting pictures. It is written to be enjoyed as a bedtime story with a sweet ending to a child’s day.
Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep At Night? is an excellent educational resource by Steven J. Simmons and Clifford R. Simmons. It is beautifully illustrated with enchanting images of the sea and ocean creatures by Ruth E. Harper. Written in easy-to-read rhyme, this book will be an enjoyable read for any child who finds the ocean and its creatures mysterious and exciting. The colorful images will have children looking at them a lot, and the exciting facts will have them learning while enjoying the story. This book taught me quite a few interesting facts about ocean creatures. Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep At Night? is a must-have for any ocean enthusiast child’s bookcase because it is rare to discover how and where ocean creatures sleep at night
Antoinette Wessels
"Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night" showcases wondrous watercolor illustrations that capture the allure of the sea. The rhyming rhythm dances through captivating animal facts about water-dwelling creatures before concluding in a cozy child's bedroom. Crafted to be a favorite bedtime read, this book is a must-have for the bookshelves of ocean lovers.”
Bethany Stahl, Bestselling Author of Save the Ocean
“All mammals and most other animals need sleep, including those living in marine environments. This picture book’s palette of soft colors and informative rhyme will introduce children to various facts about specific ocean animals and how they rest. Perfect for a bedtime read-aloud, this book will help young listeners and readers cuddle up together in their nice dry bed and sleep as tight as otters.”
Sara T. Behrman, former librarian and author, The Sea Hides A Seahorse
“A delightful bedtime book! This jaunt into the ocean to learn about how our marine friends sleep will easily become part of your family bedtime routine. The charming illustrations are sure to captivate the imagination of children and inspire a love for the wonders of the sea while sending them on a happy trip to dreamland.”
Anne Richardson, Author of Octopuses Have Zero Bones and Chief Experience Officer at The Exploratorium
Geo Librarian Review
In rhyming stanzas, the Simmons father and son authors tell of some of the different ways that ocean animals rest (not all of them actually sleep). From stingrays that burrow in the sand to octopus that rest in holes or hideaways amongst rocks, young readers will discover the sometimes surprising ways that ocean creatures rest or sleep. Seahorses use their prehensile tales to hang on to something while they doze, while walruses can sleep on ice or while floating on top of the water. Young animal lovers will be fascinated by the variety of animals and the variety of ways they find to rest. It's also an important reminder that most living creatures need to rest or sleep at sometime. Whether sleeping with part of the brain still awake like a dolphin or sleeping in snatches like a sea turtle, or resting while cruising like a great white shark, children are likely to find lots of fun facts to share with their family and friends. Ruth Harper's lovely watercolor illustrations are relaxing and wonderfully complement the poetic text. While the text doesn't read out loud as smoothly as I'd like, it's still nicely done. This book would be great for teachers to use in class or parents to read with their young children going to bed. Lovely and informative all in one nice package.
Fun, smart, and clever. ‘Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night?’ offers a beautifully illustrated glimpse into the underwater world and is perfect for curious young minds everywhere, regardless of their proximity to the ocean. This delightful book not only entertains but also educates, introducing children worldwide to the beauty and significance of a thriving ocean and its fascinating inhabitants. A must-read for fostering an early appreciation of our marine ecosystems!”
Mehgan Heaney-Grier, Ocean Educator, Storyteller, & The Imperfect Conservationist
What a fun way for young readers to learn about sea life – how creatures live and how they sleep! From octopus to otter, from seahorse to sea turtle, this rhyming text with lovely illustrations explores the depths of the ocean.
Erin Guendelsberger - Author of Inky the Octopus: The Official Story of One Brave Octopus' Daring Escape
I read the book with my 3-year-old son last night and he LOVED it. We stopped on each page so he could talk about all the animals. I think I’ll have to complete his set and get him the other two books!
Caitlin Amato, Executive Producer WFSB-TV’s Great Day Connecticut
"Alice and Greta is a magical story that had my children rooting for Alice and doing what's right. I strongly recommend this wonderfully written book to every parent and young child."
Paula Zahn, formerly CBS News
"This book is a delightful read. My 2 year old and 5 year old both loved the rhyming cadence and colorful pictures. Masterfully drawing on childrens’ natural curiosity about the world around them, the author skillfully weaves in interesting facts about how familiar animals really sleep. It is especially sweet that it ends with how children sleep, what a perfect bedtime book!"
Sara B.
"With lovely illustrations and melodious dialogue this would be a great bed time book for your little ones. It will definitely generate curious discussions as the story unfolds and answer many questions for children and adults too."
Sheila K.