Oh, Are You Awake? – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Oh, Are You Awake?

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2024

90%

WISE Score

The ultimate 'I'm not tired' manifesto for every kid who treats bedtime like a negotiation and every parent just trying to close their eyes.

Oh, Are You Awake?

book

2024

90%

WISE Score

The ultimate 'I'm not tired' manifesto for every kid who treats bedtime like a negotiation and every parent just trying to close their eyes.

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Screenwise Verdict

Bob Shea and Jarvis are a bit of a dream team for modern picture books. This isn't some dry, moralizing 'go to sleep' book; it's a genuine comedy that acknowledges the reality of the bedtime struggle without being annoying.

It’s short, punchy, and visually great. If you’re tired of reading the same three 'soft' bedtime stories that put you to sleep before the kid, this adds some much-needed personality to the night-time routine. It's a high-quality 'lap-read' that actually respects the parent's intelligence too.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 2-5 crowd. It’s simple enough for toddlers to follow but the comedic timing makes it bearable for the parents reading it for the 100th time.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It captures the sweet, albeit exhausting, reality of friendship and different energy levels. It's emotionally resonant for both the 'tired' and the 'wired' parties without being preachy.

Imaginative

Bob Shea's writing combined with Jarvis's distinct illustration style creates a vibrant, quirky world. The 'odd couple' pairing of a lion and a penguin is clever and visually engaging.

Safe

100

It's a standard picture book for toddlers. Zero concerns regarding content, language, or themes.

Enriching

Excellent for developing empathy and social-emotional awareness. It helps kids recognize physical cues (tiredness) and the importance of respecting others' needs—all wrapped in a comedy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The 'Odd Couple' dynamic between the sleepy Penguin and the wired Lion is genuinely funny.
Jarvis’s illustrations are vibrant and full of character—definitely not your standard, boring bedtime art.
The humor is 'pitch-perfect' for adults who have experienced the delirium of being kept awake by a toddler.
It's a quick read that doesn't drag, making it a solid choice for the 'one last book' request.

⚠

What to Watch For

It’s a comedy, so it might rev your kid up with giggles right before you want them to pass out.
Lion’s relentless questions might give your kid some fresh ideas for stalling tactics.

Conversation Starters

"Which one are you tonight: the sleepy penguin or the loud lion?"
"Why do you think Lion is finding it so hard to stay quiet?"
"What's the funniest thing Lion asked while Penguin was trying to sleep?"
"How can we help our bodies feel ready for sleep like Penguin?"

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