5-Minute Really True Stories for Bedtime: 30 Amazing Stories (5-Minute Really True Stories)

GR 1-5-How would you like to sleep underwater, in space, or in a tree? This anthology is a literal collection of bedtime stories, filled with snippets about sleep, beds, snoring, dreaming, world records, outer space, and the night sky. The text uses a conversational and engaging tone, and children will become well versed in everyday facts and obscure information on this familiar topic. The book's colloquial voice is relaxing and rhythmic. Various artists contributed to the illustrations; the dream-like images feature a wide color palette. The text provides a credible look at facts from various cultures and time periods. For example, the section "What Are Dreams?" discusses the science of dreams as well as the cultural significance of dreamcatchers. The extensive back matter includes sources, an index, a glossary, and bios of all the contributors. While the collection is thorough, each short section is straightforward. Each informational excerpt is like a lullaby without a song. VERDICT This collection will have kids snoring in the best kind of way. --Jamie Jensen, Wayne Cox Elem. Sch., Roanoke, TX

"What better way to induce drowsiness in young pillow plumpers than short, fascinating introductions to the bedding-down behavior of creatures?" - Kirkus Reviews

"This book has 30 amazing 5-minute stories with great illustrations and all facts verified by Britannica. If you have a kid like one of my daughters, who prefers reading about science, history, and 'things that actually happened, ' this one's a winner." - Asia McLain, BuzzFeed

"I'm all for make-believe but there is something thrilling about facts that are often stranger than fiction. Reading and being read aloud to are almost the mainstays of life, they will always give you somewhere to escape. When things are bad or too much to bear, particularly now in this time of infection, a book is the best place to turn." - Joanna Lumley, The Telegraph

"This book feeds that inner curious child." - Rose Metayer, Youth Services Book Review

"The colloquial voice is relaxing and rhythmic. Various artists contributed to the illustrations; the dreamlike images feature a wide palette." - School Library Journal

"The volume is thorough, and each short section is straightforward. Each informational excerpt is like a lullaby without a song. VERDICT This collection will have kids snoring in the best kind of way." - School Library Journal

"Every page has wonderful illustrations that support the stories, with plenty of details to keep little ones engaged with the book. This will be a welcome addition to any bedtime book collection." - San Francisco Book Review

"5-Minute Really True Stories for Bedtime is a novel take on children's non-fiction; it's a lovely book perfect for inquisitive children, everywhere. The magic of fiction at bedtime is irreplaceable, but books like this show how true stories can wow too." - Robin Brooks, GeekDad

"This compendium of night-related knowledge told in fascinating story form takes kids to Ancient Egypt to explore the beds of Tutankhamun, then off into space to see how astronauts get ready for bed, and even under water to learn how hibernating turtles breathe through their butts. There are 30 amazing 5-minute stories, with all facts verified by Britannica." - Reviewed

"The parceling up of information into easily digestible chunks is such a great idea ... By breaking things down into bedtime-story sized chunks, and backing the stories up with delightful illustrations, the Really True Stories for Bedtime delivers perfectly edible nuggets of information." - Robin Brooks, GeekDad