Sleepy Sea

Put bedtime blues at bay by diving into this fact-filled exploration of ocean animal sleep habits with a young girl learning to get a good night’s sleep of her own.

It’s dark outside, but one little girl can’t fall asleep in her new bed. With the help of an unexpected friend, she discovers the weird and wonderful ways sea creatures sleep, and finally catches a little shut eye herself. From sleeping with one eye open, upside down, or in a self-made ＂booger bubble＂, readers will find plenty of fascinating facts about sleep habits on almost every page. This informational fiction story is a playful introduction to navigating a major childhood milestone that also reassures readers that no matter how you feel, you are never truly alone.

Filled with charming illustrations, humor, and an adorable cast of characters, this book is sure to become a bedtime, and daytime favorite as well as a go-to for teachers and caregivers.

Don’t miss these other underwater adventures featuring major childhood milestones from Bonnie Kelso and Gnome Road Publishing:

Sea Smiles (2024)

Sea Suds (Coming 2026)

Bonnie Kelso is an author and illustrator from Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though she lives in the desert, she is obsessed with the ocean and everything in it, except the pollution. Environmental conservation is very important to her and her stories often include subtle messaging. Her sweet, silly, and often sassy characters engage children so they don’t even realize that they are learning stuff.

Bonnie studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is the Illustrator Coordinator for Nevada SCBWI and winner of the 2021 Karen Cushman Award. Her 2023 picture book, NUDI GILL: POISON POWERHOUSE OF THE SEA, was chosen to represent the State of Nevada at the Library of Congress National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. SLEEPY SEA is the second in a three-part series of picture books about important childhood milestones, all published with Gnome Road Publishing. You can learn more about Bonnie and her work at www.BonnieKelso.com or follow her on Instagram @bonnie.kelso.