Book Review: Tuck Me In!

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I am thrilled to be giving away a hard cover copy of this charming book!  To enter to win this brand-new release, simply leave a comment at the end of this post.  Of course, if you actually want me to be able to contact you if you win, it would help if you're a FB fan of mine too.  (To "like" me on Facebook, click here.)

The author of Tuck Me In!, Dean Hacohen, was kind enough to send me a copy of this book for review.  Getting free books in the mail is pretty sweet, but it doesn't automatically mean I'm actually going to love the book.

However.

This book is awe. some.  And it happens to be a perfect bedtime book for my little JEDI.  Let me tell you why.

First of all, the cover is textured, which is appealing to his sensory needs.  In fact, all four of my kids couldn't help stroking the different textures on the cover.  Tuck Me In! is geared toward the preschool set, but all my kids were hypnotized.

Ever put on Baby Einstein videos for an older child?  It still zones them out.  It's like Benadryl, without the guilt of doping up your kid.  The best picture books do that too.  Cookie, the Pork Lo Maniac, and the Peanut Butter Kid were happy to listen along for family bedtime reading.

Each pages features a different animal, adorably illustrated by Sherry Scharschmidt.  To tuck the baby animal in, you turn a specially die-cut, richly patterned "blanket" page.  (Fine motor skill development, anyone?)

The book uses repetition of the question, "Who else needs to be tucked in?"  On each page, a different animal answers, "I do!"

As we all know, repetition is the key to every toddler's heart.  It's why they eat the same things every day and demand to watch the same mind-numbing episode of Thomas over and over.  I really appreciate when repetition doesn't make me want to apply blunt-force trauma to my own head.  So kudos to Mr. Hacohen in achieving that feat.

Repetition is particularly soothing to children with Asperger Syndrome.  I don't know about your Aspies, but Little Dude hates even good surprises.  He adores the rhythm of this book.


The other reason this book was so appealing to Little Dude is that he has a whole thing about blankets.  He needs the blanket tucked up under his chin, covering his shoulders.  Seriously, he goes ballistic if it slips.  And there is no sensory processing disorder fun like bedtime sensory processing disorder fun.  He really enjoys tucking in the animals so that they can relax, too.

Tuck Me In! is a satisfying, sensory, soothing read for my Little Dude, and a new integral part of our bedtime routine.  I think it would be a great addition to anyone's arsenal of bedtime reads -- not just families dealing with sensory issues or Asperger.  Love it.


To see my policies on book reviews, please see I'm Just Like the New York Times.  For more reviews, see my page Helpful Reads.