The little mongoose in “All the Animals Were Sleeping” leaves home searching for the “canopy of green” while encountering other inhabitants in the woodland, such as giraffes, vervet monkeys, zebras, elephants, storks, a monitor lizard, butterflies and cheetahs. The mongoose watches how the creatures are resting or sleeping. Some are curled on the ground like giraffes, others lie still like lizards, most prefer groups, and others enjoy solitary life. The little mongoose likes the journey before meeting the cheetahs, which prompts him to return home.
“All the Animals Were Sleeping” is a poetic story that brings the reader to some well-known and rare animals living in the grasslands in Tanzania. Clare Welsh uses repetition of the title All the Animals Were Sleeping as part of the book’s structure, encouraging participation and supporting early literacy through repetition and rhythm. On one hand, the story offers possibilities for enhancing children’s vocabulary, such as scrambled, scuttle, and clambered; on the other, they can learn new words: tan, acacia, and silhouette. Lovie’s illustrations are luminous and evocative, offering readers a glimpse into a less-visited landscape. The artwork complements the lyrical text, offering visual cues to support comprehension and engagement, especially for early learners.
With an accessible layout, “All the Animals Were Sleeping” is appealing to nursery-reception pupils, though the low-contrast font colour used on the final page may be less legible in dim lighting. While the text is slightly lengthy for the youngest audience, its rhythm and vocabulary-building value make it a rewarding read-aloud. This engaging tale is not only a poetic journey through the African wilderness but also a valuable educational tool that grows with its readers.
Further Information:
If you love All the Animals Were Sleeping, check out more information about its author and illustrator:
The Stats:
- Title: All the Animals Were Sleeping
- Author and Illustrator: Clare Helen Welsh & Jenny Lovlie
- ISBN: 978 1 83994 026 2
- Publication Date: 2022
- Page Count: 32
- Publisher: Nosy Crow
- Recommended age: 3-7
- Categories/Topic: animals, habits
Where to Find it:
