Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording.

Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. “How are you enjoying your nap, Gerald?” Beside himself, the elephant rages that he is “NOT napping!”-but if he’s not napping, then how come Piggie is floating? And endowed with a turnip-head? Careful readers will have noticed the change in background color that cues this extended dream sequence-and they may also find themselves wondering whether Gerald could possibly be as rested as he seems when he really wakes up.Īs naps go, this is about as strenuous-and as funny-as it gets.Ī home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature. Readers will not find it at all surprising, though they will find it funny, that pretty soon Gerald’s cranky mood spreads to Piggie, who decides that she will take a nap, too: “SNORE! / SNORE! SNORE! SNORE!” Several pages later, the stertorous swine wakes up, rested and smiling.

He spreads out his mat, lies down…and in marches Piggie, hollering, “GERALD!” Gerald explodes from slumber in alarm. I am going to take a nap.” Those declarations set off a characteristically hilarious encounter between the fussbudget elephant and his porcine pal. Piggie’s head pokes into the frame from the side at a 90-degree angle, hinting at the disruption to come. Poor Gerald the elephant-all he wants is to take a nap.Ī bleary-eyed Gerald blinks out at readers from the cover, blanket and Knuffle bunny tucked in his arms.

I Will Take a Nap! by Mo Willems