Jake Stays Awake

When Jake can't sleep, the whole family is awake!

Children's Literature

Getting children to sleep, especially getting them to sleep in their own beds, can be a major challenge in many households. In Michael Wright's story, Mom and Dad are finally driven to proclaim that Jake can sleep with them anywhere but in their bed. Some children and their parents may find the clearly exaggerated options humorous, as Jake drags the trio from bedding down on the rooftop to trying to settle into garbage cans or lying in the bathtub. Others will be more annoyed than amused at how the parents' depiction as being ineffective and passive—in the end, it is Jake who decides that his own bed is more comfortable than these alternatives. Wright's illustrations suggest the kind of cartoon/graphic feel of the advertising world that he came from, and it may not be an accident that the child is shown as a short adult. If nothing else, Wright's story makes it clear that parent/child problems around issues like bedtime can usually be traced to the parents' enabling behavior. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry

Michael Wright has worked in advertising as a copywriter and art director creating some of the most memorable fish sticks commercials you’ve ever seen. More recently, he has worked designing animation and sets for television.

Michael lives in Manhattan Beach, California with his wife Cheryl and three kids Mason, Sloane and Paxton, all of whom are now very good sleepers. This is his first picture book.