While You Are Sleeping

Young children see their animal toys as living, breathing creatures. Alexis Deacon's book shows that, although they may not see them move or hear them speak, after their owner has gone to sleep the toys have a life and an important role of their own - making sure that everything is safe and comfortable.

Deacon employs his customary soft focus pastel drawings to animate the toys, which lends an air of enchantment to the scenes. He never represents the toys as if they were real animals, instead emphasising the stitching and the stuffing and blank eyes – indeed this feature produces an unnerving touch.

Sensitive and imaginative readers will either find this book greatly reassuring or disturbing.