Leo Get His Nighttime ZZZs

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What's it about?

In Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs, is a story about the Kids Can Club member, Leo, a soccer-playing, scooter-riding, on-the-move third grader.

Leo always seems to be doing EVERYTHING. Being so busy, it’s not surprising that Leo would get tired sometimes. But lately, he has been SUPER TIRED, which has caused some SUPER DUPER problems.

Why? It’s because Leo hasn’t been getting enough nighttime ZZZs. He has been waking up, and staying up, with IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER and some WORRIES. 

Leo asks the Kids Can Club kids for help. Club member, Iris, teaches Leo and the whole club a special relaxation exercise to use at nighttime and anytime. And Leo GETS BACK HIS NIGHTTIME ZZZs.

The Kids Can Club™ Collection

Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs is the second publication in the Kids Can Club™ Collection, a children’s book series written to engage and empower young readers through connection with the Kids Can Club kids’ struggles and then their successes, achieved through the use of simple wellness tools. The Kids Can Club online program will expand the series’ content with activities, games, additional exercises and interaction with the Kids Can Club characters. And it will also show kids (with participation of their trusted adults) how to start their own Kids Can Club!

Reviews

Review from Literary Titan:

Christine Corrigan Mendez and Jen Monika McCurdy deliver a delightful addition to children’s literature with Leo Gets His Nighttime Zzzs, a story that combines engaging storytelling, practical advice, and a heartwarming message of teamwork. Leo, the protagonist, leads a busy life filled with soccer games, schoolwork, neighborhood chores, and his role in the Kids Can Club. Yet, this packed schedule takes a toll—Leo struggles to get the restful sleep he needs. When he turns to his friends for help, the Kids Can Club embarks on their newest mission: helping Leo reclaim his nights.

This is my first foray into the Kids Can! series, and it’s a thoroughly impressive introduction. The book radiates a sense of empowerment and community, emphasizing the value of teamwork and the strength found in friendship. The Kids Can Club’s culturally diverse cast adds richness to the narrative, reflecting an inclusive world that young readers can relate to and admire. Dana Regan’s charming illustrations further enhance the experience, inviting readers to feel as though they are part of Leo’s adventures. When Leo shares his problem, Iris and her mom step up with a creative solution: progressive muscle relaxation. To make the concept approachable and fun for children, the story cleverly renames the exercise “scrunch up five-unscrunch.” This memorable phrase simplifies a valuable technique, making it accessible for kids and adults alike. Iris and her mom guide both Leo and readers through the exercise step by step, ensuring everyone can follow along with ease. As an adult living in a fast-paced world, I found this introduction to relaxation techniques refreshing and incredibly useful.

The inclusion of a one-page instruction sheet at the end of the book is a thoughtful touch, offering readers a practical takeaway from the story. The book’s charm and utility extend beyond its intended audience, making it a resource for all ages. The story inspires curiosity about the Kids Can! series as a whole, leaving readers eager to explore more of its empowering messages.

With its culturally inclusive storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and practical life lessons, Leo Gets His Nighttime Zzzs is a shining example of excellence, blending education with entertainment in a way that resonates deeply. It’s an ideal choice for classroom reading, book clubs, or family storytime.

Review: https://literarytitan.com/2025/01/08/leo-gets-his-nighttime-zzzs/

In this fantastic second book in the Kids Can Club series, readers will meet Leo, a third-grader with a very relatable problem that many readers will have experienced for themselves.

Leo is one of the busiest kids in Third Grade! Whether he is playing soccer, riding his scooter, or studying hard, he always seems to be on the move. Moreover, he’s also part of the Kids Can Club, which meets in his backyard to plan missions to help everyone around them. However, maybe this time, Leo needs help because he’s been VERY tired recently. He’s having trouble calming his mind to sleep at night, and everything he has tried alone has not worked. Then, he asks the Kids Can Club for help! The other club members know just the right techniques for Leo to try—and they decide to practice them all together. Soon, Leo is sleeping beautifully again and has lots of energy for all his activities—including the next club mission!

Seeing Leo’s proactive approach to his problem (first trying solutions for himself and then asking for help) demonstrates to readers that it’s okay to admit to problems and ask for help with them. The story also emphasizes the power of support networks—teachers, friends, and family—to help kids help themselves. Best of all, the book both models and describes the progressive muscle relaxation technique step-by-step, showing readers exactly how they can use it themselves—and maybe teach it to others—this is reinforced by the artwork, which illustrates both the technique and its positive results.

Leo Gets His Nighttime ZZZs is another wonderfully instructive book that helps young readers learn emotional regulation and the power of peer networks.

—The Children’s Book Review

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