The Sheep Who Couldn’t Sleep is the third children’s book by Laois author Brendan McDonald.
This heart-warming bedtime story is common in so many households: where has a Teddy bear, toy or comfort blanket got to before bed!
“Having witnessed first-hand the bedtime drama of trying to find a favourite soft toy or comfort blanket and being involved in the ‘where did you last have it’ search, I was inspired to put the drama into a positive bedtime story that will resonate with kids and parents alike” said Brendan McDonald, who is from Killeen, and for whom this is his third book to publish in less than two years.
His previous books Elephant on the Farm (2020) and Giraffe in the Trees (2021) proved hugely popular.
The story follows Sally the Sheep who is trying her best to go to sleep.
But disaster for Sally – she can’t find her best friend Ted who always goes to sleep with her!
She starts to recount all the places where Ted could have got to – including the farmyard, the zoo and even far away to the Eiffel Tower in Paris!
Key to any story is a talented illustrator and Brendan was delighted to once again work with the very talented Martin Beckett who illustrated his first two books.
“Martin Beckett, based in Donegal, once again provides the illustrations for this book.
“Working with Martin is easy and the process is now seamless – and we both think this is our best collaboration yet! Martin’s beautiful illustrations really resonate with the young readers”.
Some of the characters from his first two books are also to be found in the third book – “I wanted a link with all the books so the eagle eyed will spot Edward the Elephant, Olive the Owl, Gerry the Giraffe and Molly the Mouse once again thanks to Martin’s creativity,” Brendan notes.
Embrace Farm – Farm Accident Support Network Connection
20% of net profits from the sale of ‘The Sheep Who Couldn’t Sleep’ will be donated to Embrace Farm – Farm Accident Support Network.
“Having almost lost an arm in a farming accident when I was seven years old this charity really resonates with me personally.
As a Laois man I am very proud to support Laois based charity ‘Embrace Farm’ whose vision is to be a caring, supportive community for all affected by farm accidents & traumas. As they do such amazing work I wanted to make a donation from book sales,” Brendan said.
Brendan was delighted to get the support of Anna May McHugh, National Ploughing Association who launched the partnership this week on the Ploughing site in Ratheniska this week with the help of Caroline Redmond, Embrace Farm’s Encircle Programme Coordinator
Irish Made
Brendan is also very proud of the fact this book, like his first two books Elephant on the Farm and Giraffe in the Trees is once again written, illustrated and printed in Ireland.
“It was very important to me that ‘The Sheep Who Couldn’t Sleep’ was again illustrated and printed in Ireland and bringing the books entirely to life in Ireland was certainly a pre-requisite again on my publishing journey”.
The book is beautifully printed by Modern Printers in Kilkenny.
See more on Brendan’s website www.bedtimestory.ie.
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