The King Who Wouldn't Sleep

In this variant on many fairy tales in which the King vets suitors for his daughter's hand in marriage, the King is determined not to go to sleep until he’s found the perfect prince for his daughter.

In desperation the royal princes bring gifts for him which they hope will send him to sleep, so that the Princess can make her own choice, but nothing seems to work. But eventually a clever farmer arrives with a host of animals. He claims there are ten of each, when actually there are far fewer, irritating the King into counting for himself a flock of sheep, and finally falling asleep.

A novel twist on an old tale, with brightly-coloured illustrations by Holly Swain. There are plenty of opportunities for children to anticipate what will happen, to count the animals, and to explore the illustrations to find further details.