Grandma I Don’t Want to go to Sleep Book Tour
Cover Blurb
Grandma I don’t want to go to sleep follows a child’s fantastical voyage under the sea in an imaginative attempt to avoid bedtime- A book of laughter, longing and loss. Told within the confines of a non-traditional family, children being raised by their grandparents can finally see themselves in print.
Winner of three national book awards, the Firebird Book Award, The Bookfest Book Award and The American Book Award, this multi-time national award winning book is a tribute to grandmothers who sacrificed and took the role of mother twice. Poignant and whimsical, this book will touch children and adults alike.
Other Titles By the Author
Richard Ceasor
Author Bio
Richard has taught children for almost two decades in inner city and title I schools. He has also worked as a District Wide Behavior Specialist and a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Principal and has spent many hours with both troubled and non troubled young people.
Richard comes from a family of storytellers. He grew up as the offspring of two noted gospel singers in Cleveland, Ohio. Despite a happy childhood, his life as a child was often interspersed with the grim aspects of inner-city violence.
As a small child, Richard’s mother read traditional bedtime stories or told him family bedtime stories passed down over many generations. Although they filled him with an absolute terror of the Big Bad Wolf (and boy did it take awhile for him to recover from that), they also offered him an escape from inner city life. Richard maintains his family’s reverence for a well-turned tale. He hopes his departed mother and uncles look down at his work and that they’re smiling.
From Martial Arts master inducted in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, to a singer who has sang on the stage as a member of The Platters, to a corporate outside sales representative who left corporate America to go teach inner-city children in Washington DC. Richard Ceasor brings a wealth of experience to his writing.
The Book Tour
Day 1 - Favourite Quotes
Day 2 - Character Summaries
Grandma: There is only one named character in this book, and that is Grandma. She is a very nurturing and caring individual who demonstrates her love and kind nature for her grandchild. She is a character which I am sure many individuals can love and appreciate, as they idolize her like their own grandparents. (Bronwyn McKay)
The Little Boy: The unnamed child in the book is definitely someone I can relate to! I never wanted to go to sleep as a child, as I was too afraid of missing out on something exciting. (Michelle Marshall)
Grandma: She has a lot of patience with her grandson and encourages him to try and get the rest he needs. As someone who had a child with a very active imagination who struggled to sleep at bedtime, I can relate to her! (Eileen Tilley)
Teddy Bear: The art of all of the characters is wonderfully done and expressive. I particularly liked the art of the stuffed bear. (Tim Marshall)
Grandma: Grandma is my favourite character, and she has been crafted well in the writer’s mind so that children who both do have a grandma and don’t will appreciate her. Many children will identify with her grandson’s excitement for what can be done in the day and dislike of going to bed. I’d have liked the boy to be named, so that we could have a deeper attachment to the story, however. (Yvonne Marrs)
The little boy: He has a very vivid imagination and as someone who loves swimming and the sea, I enjoyed the world his mind created. (John Tilley)
Grandma, for her patience, and her gentleness as she encourages her grandson to sleep and to dream of all the wonderful things he can clearly imagine. (Kirsty McKay)
Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts
“I don’t want to sleep!” I said. But still the pillow found my head. And as I slowly closed my eyes grandma said her last goodbye. (Tim Marshall)
“But still the pillow found my head. And as I slowly closed my eyes grandma said her last goodbye.” (Yvonne Marrs)
Day 4 - Video Interview
Day 5 - Reviews
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. ‘Grandma I don’t want to go to sleep’ is an enchanting children’s book that takes young readers on a magical journey under the sea, all in an imaginative attempt to avoid bedtime. The author writes this tale with heart and creativity. He weaves together elements of laughter as well as longing and loss, making it a delightful but an emotional read for children of all ages. One of the greatest aspects of this story is its portrayal of a non-traditional family. More and more children are being raised by their grandparents, so this tale becomes a heartfelt reflection of their lives. In the same sense it helps more mature readers come to terms with the idea of loss as it lightly touches on the subject. I am sure it is a very powerful read for many individuals. The skillful storytelling and illustrators captivating artwork complement each other beautifully. (Bronwyn McKay)
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. This sweet story celebrates the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. I loved the interactions between the little boy and his grandma, and the illustrations were truly beautiful. (Eileen Tilley)
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. This beautifully illustrated children’s book sends the reader to a magical dreamlike world where they are free to explore the depths of the ocean. Although it’s a simple story, the combination of the words and artwork together create an emotional and evocative experience. (Michelle Marshall)
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. ‘Grandma, I Don’t Want To Go To Sleep’ is a bedtime picture book for young children. I found it very nostalgic, and the illustrations by Thelma Muraida are beautiful and expressive. Whether intentional or not on the author’s part, while the story is self-contained and relatable, I found the narrative to be a poignant metaphor. (Tim Marshall)
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. Although a short children’s bedtime story book, ‘Grandma I don’t want to go to sleep’ is an entertaining tale of inclusion utilising people of colour as characters in a universal setting. Many non traditional families have grandma being mother twice, and this book is a tribute to them! With great editing and dialogue showing a steady pace throughout, I loved the imaginative scenes with all the animals the little boy obviously loves. Excellent bright and colourful illustrations enhance the story, bringing thoughts to life.I’d have liked grandma to say ‘goodnight’ instead of ‘goodbye’ as sleep claims the little one, however. (Yvonne Marrs)
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. Although a simple story, the author has created a magical dreamlike world that I believe younger children will very much enjoy escaping to. The words and pictures combine well to make this book a real winner. (John Tilley)
Overall rating: 4.5 stars. A beautifully illustrated, short but sweet bedtime story that sparks the imagination of children and encourages wonderful dreams as they drift off to sleep. If the Author amended the last sentence from last goodbye to last goodnight this would be perfect. (Kirsty McKay)
Book Tour Reviewers
