Dozy Bear and the Secret of Sleep by Katie Blackburn and Richard Smythe (Faber and Faber)

It's not often we recommend books to you that are purposely designed to send you to sleep, but that's just how "Dozy Bear and the Secret of Sleep" will hopefully make your little ones feel.
Specifically written to be calming, soothing and restful, the simple tale of Dozy Bear who wanted to sleep but didn't know how will ring a bell of familiarity with parents who struggle with the bedtime routine (or lack of one!)

We do, even now Charlotte is 8 and thoroughly wears herself out at school and at weekends. Sometimes there are just certain evenings where it seems to take forever to gee her up to brushing her teeth, getting her pyjamas on and snuggling into bed for a story. Sometime it's a running battle, sometimes she asks to go to bed early (!) but books that settle your little ones down as Dozy Bear does are invaluable.

The use of language is purposely restful, and though the story's no bore-a-thon, it's designed to be soothing and calming and if you put just the right intonation into your voice while reading, it really does work beautifully.

Almost too well though, because (YAWN) I really didn't realise it worked on adults too. If you'll excuse me, I'll just have forty winks...

"Dozy Bear and the Secret of Sleep" by Katie Blackburn and Richard Smythe is out now from Faber and Faber.

Night night.