“The Sandman”
Author: Udo Weigelt
Illustrated by: Sibylle Heusser
Translated by: J. Alison James
Published by: North-South Books
Ages: 3 – 7 years
Theme: friendship, sleep, dreams, loneliness
Opening Lines: Every night when the Sandman came home from dusting the eyes of people with sleep, he would make himself a cup of tea, sit in his big chair, and read. Sometimes he looked out through the clouds and watched the sun come up. When the sunlight crossed his room, he put his things away and went to bed.
Synopsis: Every night when the Sandman finishes sprinkling his sleeping sand one everyone, he comes home and watches the sunrise. But one morning, the Sandman realizes he is lonely. He needs to find a friend. He starts looking, but quickly discovers that everyone – children, animals, even the fish in the ocean – falls fast asleep as soon as he arrives. The Sandman sadly realises he can’t bear to be without one.
There is someone who is never sleepy, someone who would be the perfect friend – if only the Sandman can find her!
Why I like this: I bought home five books from the library, and when I realised this would be the last PPBF for a while I quickly chose this one to share. I felt a special connection as it reminded me of when I first started just over a couple of years ago joining a forum and Facebook, chatting to friends was hard to get used to as with time zone it meant they were all sleeping on the other side of the globe when you were ready to chat. After time one learns to adjust.
This beautiful book in full pages of rich wispy illustrations by Sibylle, is a delightfully quiet story, even when we follow the Sandman in his adventure to find a friend, after realising how lonely he is. ( This is a mythical character of folklore.) I felt for him when he sat down and started to cry because everyone he met suddenly fell asleep and there was no one around to chat. I also cheered for him in the end and so will you when you realise there is a friend who has been there all along if only he had looked, and she had been waiting and watching. Can you guess who that is?
Like the Sandman we can all connect with a special friend, no matter where we are, the world is not so big. You just need to look, and it takes consideration and understanding.
This would also make a great bedtime story.
German born Udo studied business and graphic design and worked as a mechanic. He has penned many books both children and adults for North-South.
Sibylle studied scientific illustration at the Academy of Arts in Zurich Switzerland where she now lives as a freelance artist. This was her first book for North-South.
Resources/Findings: I couldn’t find any resources directly connected with this book but I can imagine discussions on dreams and getting children to draw either what they dreamed or think a dream is, would be an interesting concept. Maybe have someone dress as a wizard or fairy to give the illusion of dreams, casting spells or making wishes. Kids would delight in writing their own stories of what they wish for or anticipate what the future will be like in their eyes.
Some links I did find for creative art from emotions to fireworks, is this wonderful website…. http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/art/contents.htm
And if you are in the mood for some craft ideas this is a lovely website for kids…. http://crafts.kaboose.com/
This is an interesting website of Mentors helping kids from low-income families in Minneapolis. http://www.artbuddies.org/ I like that they have a parade afterwards.
For more books with resources please visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
I’m sure I’ve read a version of this but not particularly this one. Such a dreamy imaginative story. Great choice, Diane!
Thankyou very much Catherine. There is also Sandman goes to the Moon.
This looks lovely. Thanks, Diane!
Thankyou Beth!
Oh I love the hook for this story. Who will he find?
*smiles* … Thankyou Julie, glad you like it.
Just the title is making me sleepy. What a sweet tale with beautiful illustrations. I wonder who the Sandman takes for a friend. I must read it to find out.
lol… I hope you can pick up a copy at the library, it is a lovely sweet story Kirsten. Thanks for popping bye.
Nice choice Diane. I remember a song sang back inthe 1950s about “Mr Sandman bring me a dream…” HA! This story sound lovely, and I think I know who the one thing awake — the moon.
LOL… very clever Pat! Glad you like this it is sweet and yes I remember that song. …lol.
wow, now I am curious. Who DOES he find as a friend? Thanks for the recommendation, Diane!
lol… you will have to read the story Amy. Unless you see what Pat just said. Hope you pick a copy up and thats for stopping by.
Sounds lovely. I recently came across the Sandman in a movie trailer. I had no idea who he was. I had only heard a few lines of the Mr. Sandman song in the movie Grease. Look forward to checking this book out. Thanks!
Your very welcome Darshana, hope you enjoy it. The Sandman song is very popular. Enjoy.
I want to read this book!
In the library Julie *she whispers*….lol. Thankyou!
Lovely, I am going to get this on my next trip to the library
Thankyou very much for stopping by I hope you enjoy the story, the illustrations are lovely. Do pop back again.
I so love how you (and I) can identify with this story!
*smiles* Thankyou Joanna, it must be that travel blood in our viens, the world is such a big place, yet it is small and it can be lonely yet fulfulling. I thought you might like it.
The cover image is beautiful. I love the idea for this story and now I need to see how it ends! Thank you for sharing this one.
You are very welcome Heather. Enjoy!
This book looks wonderful, Diane, and I love your reason for choosing it! 🙂 The art looks gorgeous too. Just the kind of book I used to love to read my kids at bedtime… now I’ll have to wait just a bit until my granddaughter is old enough 🙂
Aye! What!!! Granddaughter!!?? Didn’t think you were old enough..lol.
Thankyou for your kind comment, I loved it to. Thanks Susanna.
I am guessing Mother Nature? I like the blimp! 🙂 I like the idea of the book. 😀
LOL…. smart, very smart Erik! Glad you liked this book. Have a great weekend.