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Yawns Are Quite Contagious
I Bet I Can Make You Yawn! follows a cute and determined sloth who asks readers to play a game with him where he will try to trick them into yawning. What was the inspiration for your story?
I am a mother and an educator. I LOVE reading books with children. I have read many books throughout my lifetime and had the opportunity to observe hundreds of children interacting with literature. I chose to make this book interactive because I love to watch kids engage in and interact with a text. It has them being a part of the text and begging to read it again.
I chose a sloth because who else can convince you to yawn but a slow moving animal that sleeps so much? Plus, who doesn’t love sloths? My illustrator, Audrey Kennedy, did an amazing job bringing Sammy to life.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It is important to me that kids realize reading can be fun.
I wanted the readers to feel like Sammy the sloth was playing a game with them. They also learn that yawns are quite contagious.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The entire book was fun to write. It was quite difficult not to yawn through the entire process.
I really enjoyed creating the final scene (the final attempt of Sammy trying to get you to yawn). Even though there is no written text on this page, the illustrations effectively convey the message to evoke an emotional response. When the idea came to me, I thought it was perfect. The reaction I get when I read it to kids, reassures me of that decision.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book. There is no set date on the next book coming out. My illustrator and I have tossed around some ideas about the next book, so it is a possibility.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
I Bet I Can Make You Yawn
This cute children’s book is all about a playful challenge. The narrator talks directly to the reader, daring them not to yawn while they say the word over and over again, stretching arms and legs, and even bringing in a sleepy sloth at the end. The whole thing builds like a little game, with the text teasing and testing whether the reader can resist yawning until, of course, it’s almost impossible not to give in.
I had a lot of fun with this picture book. The writing feels light and cheeky, almost like a friend poking your side just to see if you’ll laugh. It’s repetitive in the best way, because that’s what makes the joke land. I caught myself smiling at how simple the trick was, yet it actually worked. The author clearly knew what she was doing by leaning into the contagious nature of yawns, and I think kids would get a kick out of feeling like they’re “losing” the game.
What I liked most was the pacing. Each page adds a little more, like stretching one arm, then both arms, then legs too, until finally you’re right there with the sloth, half-asleep yourself. It’s clever without being complicated. It just leaned into silliness, and that makes it work. The artwork is super sweet. The sloth shows up in different little poses, each one cuter than the last, and it adds a playful charm to every page. The colors are warm and inviting, making the whole book feel cozy. The illustrations are just as fun as the story.
I’d recommend this children’s book to parents looking for a funny bedtime read that actually helps settle kids down. It would also be fun for teachers who want a quick laugh with a group of kids. If you enjoy books that invite the reader to play along and don’t mind yawning a lot while reading, this one’s perfect.
Pages: 28 | ASIN : B0F1C7LZXJ
LITERARY TITAN 