"This is a grat book to read with colorful pictures, fun characters and a little laughter. Come on a little journey to the cave of Momma and Papa Bear to unveil each and every one of Bobby's excuses for not wanting to take a nap."
                 - Parker Bryant - Ringling Eagle, Oklahoma, February 2004

"...written by Michael Ambrosio and illustrated by Bob Langan, are delightful stories for preschool to early readers.  Language used is simple, understandable, and engages both parent and child. Ambrosio’s prose personifies the personal touch of years of making up bedtime stories for his own children.  Langan, a fifteen-year veteran of illustration and animation, has chosen a colorful comicbook style, similar to illustrations by Jack Kent and Stan and Jan Berenstain, that will attract young eyes.  Highly recommended for picture book collections."
                
                  - Kim Harris, Librarian, Churchville, New York, Christian Library Journal, July 2003

*****

"Cleverly written by Michael Ambrosio and featuring a cartoony bear family humorously drawn in bright colors by Bob Langan, "I Don't Want to Take a Nap!" is the highly recommended picturebook story of a young bear boy who's having trouble adjusting to bedtime. He wakes up thirsty, or from the sound of his own snoring, or tangles himself in his covers and falls out of bed. At last his father helps him by spending some quality time. "I Don't Want to Take a Nap!" is a gentle story perfect for reading aloud to very young children."

                 - Midwest Book Review, August 2002
 

"I Don't Want to Take a Nap! is about an impetuous, yet adorable bear cub who is a master at prolonging the bedtime experience. Like a lot of cute three year-olds we may have known, or may have been, Bobby the bear will make you laugh and leave you smiling."

                 - La Voz Newspaper, September 12, 2002
 

"Little Bobby bear loves to play. He plays all spring, summer, and fall long, but when winter comes around, Bobby must take a nap, as all good little bears must do. However, Bobby wasn’t ready for a long wintertime nap, he still wants to play and chase squirrels. His mommy calls him repeatedly to go inside to take his nap, and after a while of trying to ignore the inevitable, Bobby finally obeys. His mommy tucks him in bed, kisses him good night, and trots off to the living room, where she thinks she’ll be able to relax, but Bobby just couldn’t fall asleep. He keeps thinking of ways to get out of his bed.

I Don't Want to Take a Nap! is a cute story that me and my children thoroughly enjoyed reading. This story will make you laugh, parents, and their children everywhere will find themselves relating to Bobby and his parents in several different ways.

Well written and adorably illustrated, this book comes highly recommended.

As a father of five children, Michael Ambrosio has plenty of experience in tucking little ones into bed…even when they aren’t sleepy yet. He has written a comical series of “I Don’t…” picture books for children, which are aimed to encourage and support parents. Ambrosio’s stories are humorous, adventurous, and true to experience that feature lovable characters. He lives in Folsom, California with his wife and children.

The illustrator, Bob Langan, has been a freelance illustrator and animator for 15 years. His characters are child-oriented and the drawings, when complete, are witty and bright. Langan is well known for his “unique art style” and he loves to bring his illustrations “to life”. He lives in Roseville, California with his two daughters.

"Ambrosio and Langan are an unbeatable team with this cleverly written story by Michael Ambrosio and the distinctive bear family from the artistic talents of Bob Langan, "I Don't Want to Take a Nap!" is the second book of the "I Don't" series. In this book, little Bobby Bear is having trouble getting to sleep for his nap. He falls out of bed, gets tangled in his covers, wants a drink of water, and all the other excuses that children use when they can't go to sleep. Each time Mama Bear tucks him in and kisses him on the forehead, thinking that now, she can relax. Finally Father Bear takes over, and Bobby falls asleep on his lap...a little Daddy time was all he needed.

A gentle, humorous bedtime story for reading out loud to young children. Ambrosio and Langan have three upcoming titles in the series: "I Don't Like Mosquitoes!" - "I Don't Like My Neighbor!" - "I Don't Know Who I am!"

     This is the second book I have reviewed written by Michael Ambrosio. The first was "I Don't Want to Be Lunch." As I picked up his new book, "I Don't Want to Take a Nap," a shiver ran down my spine and my "inner child" jumped up and down.
     Believe me, I was not let down - this book will be a winner!
     The characters in the book are Papa Bear, Mom, Bobby, Sis and Bobby's toy rabbit named "Teddy." The book centers around Bobby and "all" the excuses he comes up with to keep from going to sleep.
     Bobby has played all year and now it is winter and time for all little bears to take a "long" nap. But, Bobby was still having fun playing outside and chasing squirrels.
     Time after time, Bobby's "Mom" "tucked him into bed, kissed him on the forehead and went into the other room to relax." Still, Bobby always finds an excuse to come find Mom and tell her "why" he can't sleep.
     All mothers can relate to this book, and it makes an excellent bedtime book. (My children made excuses also!)
    The illustrations are huge and colorful - they were half the fun of the book! (The squirrels looked like "Nutsy" from the author's first book, so I gather the bears and "Nutsy" became friends.) Therefore, it compliments his first book.
    This is the "perfect book" to give to your children or grandchildren - plus you get the added enjoyment of reading it to them. You will smile when you read of Bobby's excuses - some are quite funny!
    So get this book and find out how Bobby finally gets to bed. You'll be surprised!
    I read this book to Aurora, my granddaughter, who is 41/2 years old. I then said, "OK, Auroroa, help Grandma review this book - 'How did you like it?'" Her reply, "I love-v-ved it!!!" Case closed, so did I. The book obviously is a winner.

             - Linda Hanning, Lebanon (MO.) Daily Record, November 10, 2002

 
 Thank you, Michael Ambrosio, for continuing your series of children's picture books with "I Don't Want to Take a Nap!"
Bravo, Bob Langan! Your illustrating is most appealing and expressive. We're glad you are still on board the LionX Publishing Inc. express.
Ambrosio's first in the series, "I Don't Want to Be Lunch," was terrific, but his storytelling seems to have improved between No. 1 and 2. Again the dialogue is simple and evocative of a real little one who isn't quite ready to automatically obey the rules.
This time, Bobby, a playful little bear, isn't quite ready to take his winter nap. Oh, how he wishes it was summer again when he could play all day.
 He obeys his mother, comes inside and gets ready for bed, for it is getting late. Or is he in bed?
How many excuses can he find to prolong the bedtime experience?
Parents beware. After reading "I Don't Want to Take a Nap," it may be hard to resist a smile or chuckle the next time your little one wanders out of his bedroom and asks for a drink of water.
(Be on the lookout! Ambrosio has three more books planned in the "I Don't ..." series.)

             - John Scott Cooper, Waycross Journal-Herald, (Georgia), November 26, 2002
 

"I Don't Want to Take a Nap" is a book you will enjoy as much as your child. It is the story of Bobby, a small bear who does not want to sleep all winter. He continually comes up with excuses and is repeatedly sent back to bed by his mother.
Finally father takes charge of the situation. Sitting in his favorite chair he curls up warm and cozy with Bobby. Bobby responds to his father's love, feeling warm, safe and secure. Before long Bobby is asleep and dreaming about summertime.
Bob Langan beautifully illustrated this charming book and I am especailly glad to see the father brought in as a loving secure anchor for Bobby. It is available at you favorite bookstore or on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com

              - Shirley LaBusier, Nashville News, (Illinois), November 6, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ken San Vicente
LionX Publishing Inc.
(916)984-0102

Tired Parents Need to Laugh

        How many times, putting one of your young children to bed, did you think the rest of the evening was yours, only to find that the bedtime experience had just begun? Young, cute and adorable as they are, we parents need a break from our children. But our children don’t understand and often times refuse to cooperate. Don’t they understand how tired mommy is? What a hard day daddy has had? The answer is very simply, no.

        We can get upset about this sad state of affairs, or we can laugh with other parents as we celebrate the universal bedtime experience with all of it’s exasperating comedy. Michael Ambrosio invites us to do just that with his new children’s book, I Don’t Want to Take a Nap! a story about the adorable, impetuous, Bobby the Bear.

        Bobby is a playful little bear. But unfortunately it is getting late and it's time for all good bears to take their winter nap. Bobby doesn't want to take a nap! Nevertheless, Bobby obeys his mother, and comes inside and goes to bed. Or does he? Time after time Bobby finds a new reason to come out of his room. Like so many children before him, Bobby is a master of prolonging the bedtime experience. Exhausting his mom, his dad coming to the rescue, Bobby the bear will make you laugh and leave you smiling as you remember and reminisce about the little Bobbys and Bobettes in your life.

Michael Ambrosio has experienced many of his own bedtime adventures. As a father of five children, he has plenty of first hand material to draw from. Aiming to encourage and support parents everywhere, Michael has written the “I Don’t …” series of children’s picture books. His books combine humor and adventure with a poignant story line, featuring adorable characters that children will love. Michael lives with his wife and children in Folsom, California.

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