• Age: 5 to 9
• Grade: k to 4

A magical double billing: Natalie Merchant and Barbara McClintock bringing music and poetry to life
This collection of classic children's poetry, adapted to music by Natalie Merchant, opens the door to a wondrous world filled with witches and fearless girls, blind men and elephants, giants and sailors and dancing bears.
Leave Your Sleep features a daring and delightful selection, ranging from the beloved (e.e. cummings, Edward Lear, and Jack Prelutsky) to the undiscovered (the young Nathalia Crane). Natalie Merchant's brilliant musical renderings, selected from her highly praised album, share the stage with Barbara McClintock's richly imagined art to create a memorable reading, looking, and listening experience.

Natalie Merchant's profile page

Barbara McClintock's profile page

Natalie Merchant is a musician who for the past 30 years has been recognized as one of America's most gifted singer-songwriters.She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.
Barbara McClintock has written and illustrated many distinguished books for young readers, includingAdele & Simon. Her books have been named four times to the New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year list. She lives in Windham, Connecticut.

“A nice collaboration between two stars in their own fields that should lure children even deeper into the magical world of poetry.” —Booklist
“A musical treat for parents as well as their children.” —Kirkus
“A classy bit of bookmaking.” —The Horn Book
“The jaunty selections feature horses, elephants, dancing bears, and wonderfully empowered children. McClintock's detailed paintings bring inviting color and fun to the verses in both spot art and full spreads.” —School Library Journal, starred review