Most children resist naps. Gerald knows better. Mo Willems's (Waiting Is Not Easy!) latest spot-on beginning reader flips children's expectations.
"I am happier when I am rested," says Gerald in a gray speech balloon, laying out his blanket and holding onto his Knufflebunny. "I hope I have good dreams." Willems indicates Gerald's shift into a dream state with a mint green–tinted thought balloon in which Piggie slips in sideways. Next, the green-tinted "dream" balloon grows to nearly overtake the page, with just a bit of white showing at the edges. Gerald smiles and slumbers as Piggie approaches. "GERALD!" cries Piggie. Gerald jumps from his blanket shouting ("Huh!?! What! Where?...") and sending Knufflebunny and Piggie flying. "I am trying to take a nap because I am TIRED and CRANKY!" the elephant says. The friends' banter spells out the plusses of resting, and Piggie returns with her "special buddy" for napping (a stuffed elephant that makes Gerald blush). But Piggie's loud snore wakes up Gerald. Piggie, however, rises refreshed: "How are you enjoying your nap, Gerald." Gerald denies he's napping, but Piggie points out, "If you are not napping, how can I be floating?"
Willems conveys a complex idea simply--Gerald is conscious of dreaming while still in dream mode. Eventually, Willems depicts Gerald waking as the green tint shrinks back from the white background. Gerald wakes rested, and Piggie greets him, "Oh, hi, Gerald! Did you have a good nap?" The elephant's reply neatly pulls together the two story threads. Another winner from the master of beginning readers. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness