Launch 39 Books

Farmer Simpson works all day.
He plants his corn and beans and hay.
His feet get tired, his nose gets red.
At night, he likes to go to bed.

So do his pigs, cows, hens, and ducks. But Farmer Simpson’s sheep have other plans. Night after night, they think of every excuse to stay awake, and after weeks of little rest, Farmer Simpson feels distressed.

Then, to make matters worse, he forgets his wife’s birthday! He goes to the store to buy her a gift, and blankets catch his eye. Could cozy bedding be the answer? Bruce Arant’s gently lilting verse and softly rendered chalk pastel illustrations are sure make sleep irresistible, even for those with the most creative reasons to stay up late.

Children’s book author/illustrator Bruce Arant is self-taught in a variety of art mediums including chalk pastel, oil pastel, graphite, ink, colored pencil, and watercolor. He has written and illustrated two traditionally published books and has illustrated dozens of books for other authors. Arant’s book, Simpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep! (Peter Pauper Press, 2013), won the 2014 Nebraska Book Award for Best Children’s Picture Book and Best Cover/Design/Illustration, was nominated for the 2015-2016 Golden Sower Award, was selected to represent the state of Nebraska at the 2015 National Book Festival, and was placed on the Nebraska 150 Book List. Its sequel, Simpson’s Sheep Just Want to Sleep! (Peter Pauper Press, 2017) received the 2018 Nebraska Book Award for best Children’s Picture Book. The book also represented the state of Nebraska at the 2019 National Book Festival. Arant maintains an active schedule speaking about his writing and illustration, engaging audiences in schools, public libraries, teachers’ conferences, and community organizations with lively book readings and fun-filled, imagination-driven drawing exercises. To date, he has presented to approximately 70,000 students and library patrons. Prior to launching Arant Creative Group as a full-time illustrator, author, and editor, he enjoyed a career of nearly 20 years in the magazine and custom publishing industry, where he held a variety of editorial and creative positions.Children’s book author/illustrator Bruce Arant is self-taught in a variety of art mediums including chalk pastel, oil pastel, graphite, ink, colored pencil, and watercolor. He has written and illustrated two traditionally published books and has illustrated dozens of books for other authors. Arant’s book, Simpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep! (Peter Pauper Press, 2013), won the 2014 Nebraska Book Award for Best Children’s Picture Book and Best Cover/Design/Illustration, was nominated for the 2015-2016 Golden Sower Award, was selected to represent the state of Nebraska at the 2015 National Book Festival, and was placed on the Nebraska 150 Book List. Its sequel, Simpson’s Sheep Just Want to Sleep! (Peter Pauper Press, 2017) received the 2018 Nebraska Book Award for best Children’s Picture Book. The book also represented the state of Nebraska at the 2019 National Book Festival. Arant maintains an active schedule speaking about his writing and illustration, engaging audiences in schools, public libraries, teachers’ conferences, and community organizations with lively book readings and fun-filled, imagination-driven drawing exercises. To date, he has presented to approximately 70,000 students and library patrons. Prior to launching Arant Creative Group as a full-time illustrator, author, and editor, he enjoyed a career of nearly 20 years in the magazine and custom publishing industry, where he held a variety of editorial and creative positions.