I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows


Children - Fable
40 Pages
Reviewed on 02/07/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Heather lives in beautiful Eagle, Idaho where she and her husband raised their 8 children. Her journey to become a mom of 8 has been a bumpy one that has included infertility, being a foster parent, adoption, and special needs parenting. She now has a big family of 2 biological children and 6 adopted children. Heather has always loved to read. When she was a little girl, she would read cereal boxes and shampoo bottles when she didn't have a book to read. As a mom of 8 children, she uses books and stories to teach her children. Reading books to her children is special time to her. Sometimes she still pulls out one of their favorite children's stories and her big teenagers all gather around and listen. There's something beautiful about a favorite book from your childhood. It's like reuniting with an old friend.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite

I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows by Heather Davis is a fun story about Jim, a farmhand whose ways of communicating are unorthodox, to say the least. A farmer is looking for help on his land, but this 17-year-old is the only applicant. So the farmer reluctantly hires him, knowing he has no other options. The story boils down to the character of the young man. Will he be lazy and just do the minimum required, or will he take on the job and do it well? An excellent lesson is provided in this tale. The artwork is attractive, colorful, and full of detail. I also appreciated the appropriate font used, making the story easy to read. Not every children’s story gets everything right: the artwork, the font, and the story itself. But this one definitely nails it.

I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows by Heather Davis goes on to describe how well Jim completes his work, and how his employer is pleased with everything he does. However, the measure of trust has yet to be earned as when a storm hits the farm, the old farmer runs around trying to wake Jim up, attempting to salvage what is left of his property. For some reason, the farmer had no idea how good Jim really was at his job. He had assumed that the farm wasn’t prepared for the storm that came. The example that Jim gives to young readers is an excellent building block for learning. Don’t just ‘do the minimum required’. Do the best job you can, whether or not you are recognized for it. This book was a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.

Donna Parrey

There is a reason fables last through the years. Their universal lessons can be adapted to the current state of the world and still remain relevant. Such is the case with I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows, retold by Heather Davis. A farmer needed help with caring for the many animals on his farm and placed a Help Wanted sign on his fence. The only person to apply was a teenage boy named Jim. The farmer asked Jim why he should hire him as his new farmhand. Jim’s reply was simply, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” Despite the farmer’s confusion about that claim, he hired Jim anyway. How that particular talent plays out in this story results in a satisfying fable ending.

Fables are often the favorite choices of adults seeking new stories to share with children. By retelling this fable, Heather Davis provides an opportunity for parents, teachers, or other adult mentors to start a conversation with the child reader about what the story means and how it might apply to the child’s environment. I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows also has quaint, colorful illustrations by Roberta Malasomma that suit the fable with a dreamy, watercolor feel. The pigs, chickens, cows, and horses are a delight. The weather scenes lure the reader’s eye to linger on the page. Even the font choice is whimsical yet easy to read. Heather Davis’ retelling of I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows makes this book a fine candidate for any school library.

Tanja Jurkovic

I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows is a colorful fable for children written by Heather Davis. It tells the story of a seventeen-year-old boy named Jim, who seeks work on a farm, claiming that he can sleep when the wind blows, which is his strength. The farmer, although confused by that strange qualification, gives Jim a job on his farm and that is how this adventure begins!

I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows is based on a classic tale that has an important message for everyone. The story portrays a stressful situation, and through the retelling of Jim's work at the farm and his positive attitude towards life aims to help children, and adults alike, to understand how to deal with stressful situations when they occur, sometimes even on a daily basis. This story is accompanied by lovely classic illustrations, full of detailed scenes and colorful expressions, which create a calm atmosphere all the way to the end. Heather Davis skillfully and in an approachable manner builds up the story, at the same time pointing out the importance of the message in the tale. I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows is a recommendation to everyone who wishes to know more about how to cope with stress, how to avoid anxiety, how to manage their time efficiently, and most of all, how to learn to believe in themselves. It is a lovely story that will win the hearts of children all over the world.

Patricia Reding

There are numerous ways to learn some of life’s most valuable lessons, but one provided through a story is long retained and best of all, requires no loss to the student who may come by a lesson wrought through experience. I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows, a tale of old, retold by Heather Davis and beautifully illustrated by Roberta Malasomma, offers such a story. When an old farmer advertises for help, young Jim shows up. The farmer asks the boy why he should hire him, as he is concerned the lad does not appear particularly strong. Jim replies that the farmer ought to hire him because he can sleep when the wind blows. Although the farmer does not understand, he hires young Jim anyway. Fortunately, the lad proves to be a hard worker. Time passes and then, one night, a terrible storm brews. The farmer, unable to rouse Jim from his sleep, sets out to save his farm, only to discover what Jim had meant when he said that he could sleep when the wind blows.

Heather Davis has chosen a valuable story for retelling in I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows. It seems the farmhand, Jim, had discovered at some time during his young life that one may remain calm in the midst of any storm when one is prepared in advance for its possibility. By gathering the animals and putting them in the barn, securing it, and battening down the hay, each and every night, Jim knew that when he went to sleep, he need not worry about what might transpire. In short, he was always prepared. The beauty and simplicity of this message are enhanced by the lovely illustrations by Roberta Malasomma. While the text never says, “be prepared,” or “prepare in advance,” young ones will surely get the timeless and priceless message of this old tale.

Michelle Stanley

I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows is a classic children’s fable retold by Heather Davis. A farmer thought seventeen-year-old Jim was too young to handle the daily chores on his farm and asked why he should be hired. Jim replied, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” This odd answer puzzled the farmer, but he hired Jim because he needed help. Jim proved to be hardworking, much to the farmer’s amazement. A storm came one night and the farmer couldn’t wake Jim. He angrily left to prepare the farm for the storm and went to lock the animals in the barn, but they were already there. He went to tie down the hay, but that was also secured. Every task was already completed, so the confused farmer went to bed. In the morning, he asked Jim how he knew a storm was coming and Jim responded that he didn’t. He reminded the farmer that he can sleep when the wind blows and explained the significance of his comment.

This classic children’s fable by Heather Davis is a good example to teach children how to plan and cope with anxiety and stressful situations when they occur. It’s a tale that has been used in churches, schools, and homes for centuries, and I think it’s a perfect reading aid to use. Although Jim was young and not as experienced as the farmer, he behaved maturely and with wisdom that the farmer appreciated and learned from. A person is never too old to learn from the younger generation. I Can Sleep When The Wind Blows is an educational, inspiring, and motivating reworking of a classic fable that I enjoyed reading and recommend.