Review sponsored* by BookLogix
The Children’s Book Review | March 30, 2018
Written by Zena Bailey-Harris
Illustrated by Najah Clemmons
Age Range: All ages
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Mountain Arbor Press (2018)
ISBN: 978-1-63183-246-8
What to expect: American Sign Language (ASL), bedtime antics
In No Night-Night, author Zena Bailey-Harris writes a simple story with a surprising twist: it is simultaneously translated into American Sign Language (ASL) through the use of ingenious illustrations.
This bedtime story opens with a young girl running in a beautiful field. Her hair is blowing in the wind and her trusty dog is by her side. She has had a wonderful day playing in the fresh air but now it is time to go to bed and she just doesn’t want to.
“I played all day. And part of the night.
I won’t go to bed now. No night-night.”
Our intrepid main character has stoically made her way through dinner and bath time, to the best of her ability. It is time for bed but she stubbornly refuses to sleep. Her patient and caring mother eventually convinces her that resting would be a good idea and she drifts off to dreamland in the warm and loving arms of her mom.
While the story itself is a sweet and simple way to end the day, the best part of this book is the expert way the author and illustrator have worked together to convey the words into sign language. Readers can easily comprehend and imitate the signs, adding another dimension to this charming and loveable story.
This clever book is sure to appeal to all readers as the heartwarming illustrations draw readers in and make the act of signing seem like such fun.
Available Soon: https://www.facebook.com/Zena-Harris-2052994164978399/
About the Author
Zena Bailey-Harris grew up in snowy Buffalo, New York. She is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo/Amherst and Georgia Perimeter College. Currently, she works full time as an American Sign Language interpreter. She and her husband reside in Georgia with their two young-adult daughters, a dog, and a cat. Years ago, those daughters never wanted to go to bed. They are the inspiration for this story. No Night-Night is Zena’s first book.
About the Illustrator
Najah Clemmons is a freelance illustrator and fine artist living near the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. Along with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs, she has been creating art for children’s books for the past twelve years. With her husband, she is also the co-owner of Sugar Pea Studios design company.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. BookLogix sponsored* this non-biased review of “No Night-Night,” by Zena Bailey-Harris. Learn more about getting a book review …