No One Slept by Rafael Sica and Bruna Dantas Lobato (Translator)

What worked:

The illustrations are the highlight, even though they are drawn in shades of black, white, and gray. They depict a ghost’s haunting to keep the household awake, and young Kooky’s efforts to help all of her relatives fall asleep. Somehow, the pictures communicate a descriptive story without being too detailed. Some of them use negative space to represent trees in the outdoor setting. The specter is drawn more simply than the living characters, but that helps to display its mystique. The narrative, translated from Portuguese, describes the ghostly problem, and then Kooky’s idea to tell bedtime stories. The simple plot is perfect for young, emerging readers.

What didn’t work as well:

Amazon lists this book for ages eight and above, with the suggested grade levels being 1^st and 2^nd grades. It’s for a younger audience, since able readers can complete it in under five minutes. The book doesn’t share any of Kooky’s “enchanting tales”, which might have made the book more appropriate for middle grade.

The final verdict:

The book isn’t as effective as a middle-grade story, but it works well for a younger audience. I suggest the emerging readers give it a try.