The Insomniacs
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Insomniacs is a delightfully original picture book about a family that, after moving through 12 time zones, finds they can no longer sleep at night. They try and try, but ultimately they decide to do their living at night and sleep during the day. Kids will enjoy seeing normal routines turned upside down and finding out that maybe the dark isn't as scary as they thought.
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What's the Story?
After Mrs. Insomniac (Mother) finds a new job, she, Father, and daughter Mika travel 12 time zones to their new home and find that they're so thrown off, they can no longer get to sleep at night. They discover that the darkness is \"full of life,\" with all sorts of nocturnal animals roaming about, and finally decide to do their living when it's dark out and sleep when it's light. Mika gets her own noctural pets, including an aardvark and bandicoot, and attends night school online. Mother studies the stars through her telescope, and Father watches the nightly news and develops photos in a darkroom. They not only adapt, they find they prefer it this way. \"We are a nighttime family,\" they conclude.
Is It Any Good?
THE INSOMNIACS is tantalizingly unusual and sure to draw kids into its topsy-turvy world. Most kids are at least somewhat scared of the dark. But this offbeat charmer shows a whole family learning to love the dark and be fine with living differently than everybody else.
The slightly creepy but very appealing sytylized illustrations by the Brothers Hilts mix a hint of Edward Gorey and a smidge of Humpty Dumpty (in Father's extensive bald pate) to create three lovable oddballs who make the best out of an unusual condition: not being able to sleep at night. Should make perfect bedtime reading.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they feel about the dark. Is it always scary? Or have you had some fun in the dark?
What other books, movies, or TV shows can you think of that are about a family that's different from most? How were they different?
What makes The Insomniacs seem a little spooky? Is it the illustrations, the colors in the pictures (lots of black and midnight blue), or the kind of activities they do?
Book Details
- Author: Karina Wolf
- Illustrator: The Brothers Hilts
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date: August 16, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Nook, Hardback
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
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The Addams Family (Live Action TV Series)
Kooky, spooky classic is still fun for tweens.
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James and the Giant Peach
Lonely boy's magical adventure still satisfies.
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Earwig and the Witch
Comical tale of a spunky girl adopted by a witch and devil.
For kids who love picture books and family stories
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