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Have you or your child read Before You Sleep by Benji Bennett? Post your feedback by 6 September for chance to win £100 Love2Shop voucher!

70 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 19/07/2016 15:59

In August 2007, Benji Bennett’s life changed forever when his adored four year-old son, Adam, died suddenly of an undiagnosed brain tumour. Inspired by his deep love for Adam, Benji made a pledge to share this love with other families and so he began to write. Read Benji and Adam's story here

Benji's first book, Before You Sleep, was such a success that it even outsold Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo when it was first published. The author always believed strongly in the power of bedtime and so this book is perfect for reading to your little one before bed.

To celebrate the UK release of Before You Sleep, we have 50 copies to give away to Mumsnetters who want to read and share their (and their children's) thoughts about it on this discussion. Go to the giveaway page to find out more about the book and apply for a free copy.

You don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion. Anyone who has read Before You Sleep can post their feedback here. If you miss out on a free one, you can buy a copy. All who post feedback before 6 September will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher. The giveaway ends on Monday 25 July so apply now!

This giveaway is sponsored by Adam's Cloud

Have you or your child read Before You Sleep by Benji Bennett? Post your feedback by 6 September for chance to win £100 Love2Shop voucher!
Have you or your child read Before You Sleep by Benji Bennett? Post your feedback by 6 September for chance to win £100 Love2Shop voucher!
OP posts:
phillie1 · 23/07/2016 21:02

Lovely book

emms88 · 24/07/2016 12:04

A beautifully illustrated children's book

rhinosuze · 27/07/2016 07:44

Think ill buy my daughter this one, sounds lovely

windowmouse · 27/07/2016 09:56

Lovely book, kids enjoyed it

mave · 28/07/2016 07:03

Great book and beautifully illustrated x

sweir1 · 30/07/2016 18:08

Very emotional xx

toodles60 · 03/08/2016 18:11

I think this book is inspirational and a perfect story to read to children after you tuck them into bed. Benji Bennett's son Adam died at the age of 4 years from a brain tumour. It was unexpected and out of the horror Benji determined to find ways for parents to spend more time with their children. Every page starts with 'I love you much more than' and has some amazing illustrations. The adventures Adam and Benji go on gives the book an amazingly happy tone. A book that reminds us to cherish every minute we have with our children. I for one know this to be true. My own daughter died a few months ago and I am full of things i wish i'd said and done. This book reminds us to make every moment with our children count. No matter what their age.

BlackSusie2004 · 06/08/2016 14:57

A beautifully written and illustrated book perfect for reading with your little ones. It's so important for children to know how much they're loved, and this says it perfectly.

CheeseEMouse · 06/08/2016 19:53

I think the sentiment behind the book is sweet and it is an important reminder to keep telling those clise to you that you live them.

stewaris · 07/08/2016 07:44

I found myself getting very emotional when I was reading this to my children. What a great way to teach children that life isn't all fun and there are sad parts too.

lyndseyh78 · 07/08/2016 21:19

I love this book it's such a lovely story and so beautifully illustrated, I read it to my children at bedtime but it always makes me cry!

user1468175625 · 07/08/2016 21:27

Loved it. The adventures, and their details, are exactly things that my son loves and finds interesting so he really relates to it. I tell him I love him every night anyway but lovely to do it as part of a book. Illustrations are bright, colourful and hots of things to spot. Agree, though, that knowing why it was written makes it an emotional read too.

AngelwingsPetlamb · 08/08/2016 14:35

Gorgeously illustrated book. The grammar / language is Americanised so you may want to change this or explain when reading to your little ones. The paperback book is large and floppy, so if it's a gift for someone you may prefer to buy the hardback copy so it lasts longer. I'm not keen on the first page that states Adam is an Angel and I think you can read the rest of the book without incorporating this page if you find it too upsetting, alternatively it is also a very useful way of explaining life to younger children.

Winniecymru · 09/08/2016 23:48

I loved this beautiful book. My son enjoyed the illustrations. There is plenty to talk about on each page. Very emotional book. I was fortunate enough to win a copy but I would have bought it! Smile

Pipsqueak30 · 11/08/2016 18:52

What a beautiful book and knowing the story I had to hold back tears while I read it to my 5 year old daughter the other night. She loved the story and illustrations x

CathBookworm · 11/08/2016 22:15

Beautifully illustrated. Very sad though.

46lena · 12/08/2016 22:32

Its a lovely, bright and colourful book. My daughter really enjoy it. We read this book every night before sleep :)

jetSTAR · 16/08/2016 09:50

Thank you for the book! Hubby and I enjoyed reading it to our DDs 6 & 4. My older daughter liked the page with the famous landmarks which we talked about (and she recognised more than I thought she would!) Younger DD loved the space and dinosaur pages the best. It is a lovely idea to write a book that says I love you to your children (which I try to say often) The illustrations are not so much my cup of tea but the children liked them. I find it a thought provoking book and it will be a good addition to our bookshelves.

bdthomasw · 16/08/2016 10:44

It was a lovely book to read in the evening before bed with little one. Lovely illustrations and a lovely little storyline. It was quite emotional reading it knowing the background to the book. My daughter really enjoyed listening to the story.

Lent1l · 19/08/2016 22:47

I have a 4 and a 2 year old who share a room and this was a book that they both listened to quietly and thoroughly enjoyed. They loved the illustrations and have asked for it several times since.

zombeana · 20/08/2016 17:47

My daughter is currently undergoing tests for unexplained seizures and weakness this truly broke my heart to read. So raw

webster147 · 21/08/2016 12:41

We read this beautiful book all together as a family, the children enjoyed following the fun rhymes and colourful detailed illustrations and Daddy and I read it with a lump in our throats knowing the story behind the books. Before You Sleep is a wonderful edition to our bedtime reading collection.

angiehoggett · 25/08/2016 10:02

such a brilliant heart warming book, really enjoyable

Sarah3kids · 26/08/2016 00:11

Simply beautiful - had me emotional after the first page!! My youngest, is not so young anymore - but we sat and read this together as she was about to set off for her first Brownie camp. It was reassuring for both of us to know that it didn't matter where we are - we will always be in each others thoughts.

It was a lovely story with fantastic illustrations which gave us the opportunity to talk about many things - some fun, some more serious and emotional.

After reading, I did take to the website - which was also very charming. We will certainly be looking at some of the other titles. Thank you Mumsnet for the opportunity. It reminded me how blessed I am to be able to tuck my monsters in at night x

starryskies78 · 27/08/2016 19:15

An absolutely beautiful book.The words are delightful and really hold a lot of meaning about the love in the every day things we do.

The illustrations are fantastic as well. Everytime I open the book to read I'm mesmerised by them again. Each and every page is full of colourful, beautiful images. Well done.

An excellent story just perfect for bedtime. So sorry that it comes after such heartache.

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