The Sleepy Yawn Hotel
Just before children drift off to sleep, there's a special, invisible hotel run by a friendly hedgehog. It's where sleepy yawns check-in and worries are gently tucked away.
Do you know what happens just before you fall fast asleep? It’s a very special secret! When your eyelids feel heavy, and your body feels soft and warm, you pass by a tiny, invisible hotel. It’s called The Sleepy Yawn Hotel, and you can only see it with your imagination. This hotel isn't just any hotel; it’s a magical place run by a very particular hedgehog named Barnaby. Barnaby has soft brown spines and a little pink nose, and he always wears a perfectly pressed red bellhop hat with a gold trim. He loves to make sure everyone feels cozy and safe.
At The Sleepy Yawn Hotel, every sleepy yawn checks in at the front desk, feeling warm and welcome. And every happy memory from your day? Those get tucked into the softest, fluffiest beds, ready to be dreamt about. The hotel never lets anything scary inside; all nightmares wait politely outside until morning, knowing they aren't welcome until the sun is up. Every room in The Sleepy Yawn Hotel smells just like warm, freshly baked cookies, and if you listen closely, you might even hear tiny mice scurrying by, delivering warm cups of cocoa to all the sleepy guests. From the highest towers, wise old owls sing the most beautiful, gentle lullabies, helping everyone drift into sweet dreams.
Barnaby, the diligent hotel manager, walks quietly through the softly lit halls, his tiny paws making no sound. He whispers, “Everyone’s dream is ready,” as he checks on each guest. But one night, as Lily, our sweet child in purple star pajamas, was just about to check in her final sleepy yawn, something unusual happened. A little worry of hers, a small one about a forgotten toy, refused to unpack from her tiny, invisible suitcase. It bounced and jiggled, making it hard for her to settle down. Barnaby noticed right away.
He approached Lily gently, his little bellhop hat tilted with concern. “Is everything alright, dear one?” he asked in a soft, comforting voice. Lily, feeling a little less sleepy now, explained her worry about the toy. Barnaby, with the help of a wise old mouse named Pip, who was usually busy with cocoa deliveries, worked together. They didn't try to make the worry disappear, oh no. Instead, they gently helped it become smaller and smaller, like a puff of smoke shrinking in the breeze. They folded it neatly, carefully, until it was tiny enough to fit inside a little paper boat, no bigger than a thumb.
With a gentle push, Barnaby and Pip launched the tiny paper boat onto a shimmering river that flowed just outside Lily’s dream window. The boat, carrying the now very small worry, floated away slowly, sparkling as it went, disappearing into the soft, sleepy night. It wasn't gone forever, but it was safely out of the way for now, waiting patiently until morning when Lily could easily deal with it. Lily watched it go, feeling a big, peaceful sigh leave her chest. Her eyes felt heavy once more, but this time, it was with pure, happy sleepiness.
Barnaby smiled, adjusting his little red hat. “Now, dear Lily,” he whispered, “your dream is truly ready.” Lily snuggled down into her soft, cloud-like bed, feeling warm and safe. The scent of warm cookies filled the air, and the distant hoot of an owl sang her a sweet lullaby. Soon, she was fast asleep, dreaming the happiest dreams. And every morning, when children wake up refreshed and ready for a new day, it's because The Sleepy Yawn Hotel, with its kind hedgehog manager and helpful staff, has taken such good care of their dreams and worries through the night.
Vocabulary
- invisible — something you cannot see
- diligent — working carefully and hard
- lullabies — soft, quiet songs sung to help someone sleep
- shimmering — shining with a soft, wavering light
- refreshed — feeling new and full of energy after resting
Parent discussion questions
- What kind of animals do you think work at The Sleepy Yawn Hotel?
- If you could check one happy memory into the hotel, what would it be?
- What do you think worries look like before they are folded into little boats?
- What makes you feel safe and cozy when you're going to sleep?
- If you were Barnaby, how would you help a child with a worry?
Fun facts
- •Hedgehogs are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night, just like the hotel manager Barnaby!
- •Owls have special feathers that allow them to fly almost silently, perfect for singing lullabies without waking anyone up.
- •Did you know that sometimes, when you fall asleep, your brain actually sorts through all the things you learned and experienced during the day?
Frequently asked questions
Is The Sleepy Yawn Hotel a real place?
The Sleepy Yawn Hotel is a magical place that exists in your imagination, helping you have sweet dreams! It's a fun way to think about how your mind prepares for sleep.
What should I do if I have a worry before bedtime?
Just like Lily, you can talk about your worry with a grown-up, or even imagine it shrinking down and floating away, so you can have peaceful dreams.
Why do owls sing lullabies in the story?
Owls are known for being wise and active at night. In the story, their gentle hoots are like quiet songs that help everyone at the hotel drift off to sleep.
