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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Have you ever wished you could bottle that perfect moment of peace before sleep and give it to your child? A Sleep Story: A Guided Visualization to Relax Your Body, Calm Your Mind, and Gently Drift Off to Sleep by Lauren Martin does just that. This beautifully written picture book was inspired by a real bedtime routine created for her son. Children are encouraged to close their eyes and visualize themselves rocking gently on a pillowy, soft cloud while the palm trees sway and the sun is warm. The story blends soothing imagery with rhythmic, repetitive language, taking young readers on a calming journey of self-acceptance. With peaceful nature scenes and gentle encouragements, the positive ending is about connection, being calm, and having inner strength. It’s a gift of comfort, safety, and mindfulness wrapped up as a bedtime story.
While I can see A Sleep Story by Lauren Martin as a bedtime tool, as an educator, I can also see it as a way to help kids calm their bodies down and understand their feelings. The soft words and soothing pictures help kids to relax, breathe more slowly, and use the quiet voice inside that says, “You are perfect the way you are.” The realizations, like being perfect or “You are always protected and loved,” promote positive self-esteem, which is so important in early childhood development. Whether used during circle time or rest time for relaxation at school or at home as part of a nightly routine, A Sleep Story is a calming, meaningful story that helps kids feel safe and brings parents and children closer together.
