The King Who Wouldn't Sleep

By: Debbie Singleton
Illustrated by: Holly Swain
Publisher: Anderson Press
Publication Date: April 2012
ISBN: 978-0761389972
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: February 2012

The princess was cuddled up with her stuffed bunny and fast asleep in her silver bed. Of course the king, who was in his jammies, sat quietly watching her. The queen, who was in her golden bed, was out like a light. There was no bed for the king “because he never slept.” He was going to watch his little princess night and day “until he could find her the perfect prince.” Now everyone knows that no one is perfect and princes are no exception. Every time the king sat on his throne to check out the latest batch, he always found something wrong with them.

There was a prince with big muscles, one in a tuxedo, and even one with a gigantic mustache. Nope, none of them would do because they weren’t p-e-r-f-e-c-t! A little farmer holding a pitchfork stood off to the side looking at the situation. All the princes realized that the only way “they would be able to talk to the princess” would be to get that king to fall asleep. They tried giving him a teddy bear, dashing a bit of Sleep Eze on his cupcake, and reading him 1001 bedtime stories, but nothing seemed to work. Would that quiet little farmer be able to think up a way to get the king to fall asleep?

Anyone who reads this tale will undoubtedly be smiling at the end, especially those fathers who have a little princess. The fairy tale presentation was quite entrancing and everyone knows that the little farmer will somehow come up with something to win over his princess. The little twist at the end was quite original and very appealing, something that will satisfy both young and old alike. The watercolors are gems worthy of being in any princess’s crown. The end pages are nicely decorated with beds galore. If you want a modern-day fairy tale with a new twist, this one might want to go on your list!

Quill says: This is an adorable, slightly zany tale of a king who would not ‘n could not get a wink of sleep.