Sleepers

The author/artist of I Want a Dog and Tales of a Gambling Grandma tells of the different ways people and animals sleep, through the eyes of a girl who insists she will be staying awake on this night. ``My grandfather sleeps after every meal. He says it helps him digest. And my grandma says when she sleeps in the car, that's when her dreams are the best. But I never ever sleep.'' After a recitation that includes the sleeping habits of a clown, the cat and dog, a fireman and a cowboy, the narrator counts sheep and quickly dozes. In this eye-filling, hand-size book, floral patterns of little more than dots and lines show off the degree of control Khalsa brings to her whimsical art. And all those children who argue against the value of a good night's sleep will find a determined kindred spirit within these pages. Ages 2-5. (May)