Don't Blink!

February 19, 2018
Bedtime-delayers are offered a simple deal in this clever interactive book by the late Rosenthal: “If you can avoid getting to the end of this book, you can avoid bedtime.” The catch is that with every blink, a page must be turned. Seeing that the reader needs some assistance to keep from blinking, a no-nonsense owl helpfully suggests a series of strategies for keeping one’s eyes open. Staring intensely is recommended; optical illusions are offered. But when readers are prompted to get all their blinks out in one super fast attempt, the result is a 23-page leap that brings readers dangerously close to the end, compelling Owl to propose the last possible alternative: leave both eyes closed. Roberts’s illustrations are spare but effective, with Owl’s big personality and expressive fonts (the word “blurry” actually looks blurry) commanding attention on each page. Set against a white backdrop, Owl starts out wide-eyed, with fatigue’s progression marked by pages that gradually darken and eyelids that eventually droop. With her signature wit, humor, and creativity, Rosenthal slyly encourages even the most stubborn of bedtime avoiders to drift off to sleep. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Amy Rennert, Amy Rennert Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Christine Isteed, Artists Partners.

March 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 1-A cute, gray owl with huge eyes sets the stage in this interactive book. The premise is that readers can dodge bedtime simply by avoiding reaching the end of the book. As the title suggests, the way to do this is not to blink. Each time readers blink, they have to turn the page. The owl suggests all sorts of techniques to help-a staring contest, focusing on an optical illusion, even physically holding their eyelids open. The text is engaging and kids will enjoy the challenge of trying not to blink. The illustrations are simple, most spreads showing just the owl on a plain white background. About halfway through, black and gray appear at the top and bottom of each spread, as if viewers are looking out through eyelids growing heavier. This clever technique continues until there is only a slit of white page left and the owl finally suggests that readers close their eyes to keep from blinking. VERDICT A playful, interactive read-aloud that provides an appealing bedtime-focused spin, even if it doesn't quite match Hervé Tullet's Press Here and B.J. Novak's The Book with No Pictures.-Kimberly Tolson, Concord Free Public Library, MA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
Even before the title page, the book presents readers with a challenge: "DON'T BLINK!"The narrator--personified as a bigheaded gray owl--explains the challenge at the very beginning of this picture book: if (child) readers can avoid getting to the end of the book, then they can avoid bedtime. There is, unfortunately, one caveat. Each time readers blink, they have to turn the page. The narrator of this interactive picture book comes up with several plans to help readers avoid blinking and, consequently, turning the page. These suggestions range from parsing optical illusions and dizzying spirals to staring "at the person next to you" and squinting. It is ironic that each new suggestion occurs on a new page, steadily leading readers toward the end of the picture book. In one particularly clever moment, a flurry of blinks takes readers from Page 23 to Page 46 in one turn. As the implied readers get sleepier and sleepier, the owl narrator subtly modifies the narrative by suggesting that readers first try shutting one eye, then both eyes--so long as they don't fall asleep!--in order to avoid turning the page. Rosenthal and Roberts' innovative picture book, with its purportedly helpful text and solid images in mostly black, white, and gray, gently prepares young readers to sleep even as it seemingly gives children the option of staying awake. A light read that will make bedtime playful--and perhaps more alluring--for young readers. (Picture book. 4-7)

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February 1, 2018
Preschool-G Blink your way through to bedtime bliss with this creative challenge for reluctant little ones trying to dodge the evening's end. A saucer-eyed gray owl commands: Don't blink! because if you do, you'll have to turn the page. Impossible? Try staring for a long time without blinking. Still have to blink? Try staring at this elephant. (It's an optical illusion drawn with a confusing and intentionally tricky number of legs.) Another ploy is to stare at a grid of circles that result in headache-producing swirls. The frustrated owl says Dang! and Holy pillow puffs! as he suggests first squinting, then covering one eye, and then a final foolproof solution: if you just close both eyes then you can't possibly blink! Eventually no one can help but blink their way to nighttime slumber. The simple graphic-designed artwork uses varied fonts and font sizes, bright colors done in ink, pen, and watercolor, and appealing, suspenseful page turns to illustrate popular Rosenthal's spot-on humor in this interactive bedtime pleaser for parents and kids alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)