Poppy & Sam and the search for sleep

K-Gr 2--In this latest installment in the kid-friendly series, a tiny girl named Poppy and her panda friend Sam live in a garden and make plans to hibernate as fall turns to winter. But as hard as she tries, Poppy can't fall asleep. She seeks advice from their garden neighbors. Unfortunately, their suggestions aren't helpful. Counting pots of honey and drinking warm fly milk aren't appealing. The ants tell Poppy and Sam to read a good book at bedtime, but the insects have already taken all of the exciting books, leaving the pair with only the dictionary. But Poppy and Sam keep trying, until they find a way they can both fall asleep. Cathon's artwork features warm fall colors and earth tones, as well as cute cartoon-style characters with plenty of reader appeal. The story is just as sweet, whimsical, and simple as ever. VERDICT Sure to delight children looking for a cozy adventure, as well as fans of the series.--Andrea Lipinski, New York P.L., New York City

Poppy and Sam are ready to hibernate--but Poppy can't get to sleep! They have collected their supplies. They bid each other farewell for the winter. Poppy, a miniature human child with light-brown skin, and Sam, an even more diminutive panda, go to their respective homes made of gourds and snuggle into their own beds. Sam dreams of honey, but Poppy tosses and turns. Poppy wakes Sam, horrified at having forgotten how to hibernate. Poppy pulls Sam out of bed, and the two wander the garden visiting friends for tips on how to fall asleep. They try counting honey pots like the bees and say no thank you to warm fly milk from the frog. The ants welcome them to read in bed, but the only book left on the ants' shelf is the dictionary. Just when they've given up--Sam's lullaby has failed, and the dutiful sidekick has offered to stay awake with Poppy--they come across Simone, who informs them that mice don't hibernate. They're cozy in their den playing cards, doing puzzles, and eating snacks. They welcome Poppy and Sam to join them and stay awake all winter…and suddenly, Poppy and Sam are very tired. The comic-style design with spacious, colorful panels, cherubic characters, speech bubbles, and clever use of page turns make this a fun read for independent young readers but also works as a humorous read-aloud for the sleep-resistant. Another win for this adorable series. (Graphic fantasy. 4-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.