Sleep and Dreams

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-This concise overview begins with short descriptions of typical sleep patterns, the stages of sleep, and what happens in the human body during them. A chapter on sleep deprivation follows. The chapter on disorders, such as sleepwalking and sleep apnea, includes preventive measures and treatments. Relaxation techniques such as meditation are described in sufficient detail. The final chapter offers methods of guiding, remembering, and interpreting one's dreams. A short "Dream Encyclopedia" gives suggestions for understanding the symbolism of events and objects common in dreams. "To Find Out More" has a useful list of organizations and authoritative online sites. While easy to comprehend, some statements are oversimplified. For instance, in the description of REM sleep, the text states that eye movements are the eyes watching dream action and sounds "projected, in a way, on your eyelids" by the brain. Although now dated in some aspects, Alvin and Virginia Silverstein's work of the same name (HarperCollins, 1974) is considerably more detailed in describing animal and human sleep research techniques and conclusions, but it does not include guides to dream interpretation.-Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.