It's an inescapable fact of life that we all need to sleep, but Fred is the exception that proves the rule. In comically earnest rhyming verse, Fred's imaginative bedtime to-do list is described: "In the jungle, toucans snooze. Also sloths and cockatoos… But not Fred. Fred had important jumping to do." Fred also has to break the world shouting record, play his tuba, and generally make enough racket to wake up the various dozy animals he encounters. With gleefully absurd sight gags (such as monkey in tutus) and an ending that's sure to prompt shouts of "again!", this witty send-up of bedtime books will amuse kids and adults alike.

Picture books newsletter June 2015.

Adorable! Cute story in poem format, cute illustrations.

Anyone who has ever tried to get a rowdy little person to sleep will understand the humor in this book. The artwork is filled with funny details with the best being the entire family face down in exhaustion.

Cute story!