Review — Go to Sleep, Gecko!
Kirkus — 10/1/2006
A Balinese folktale begins one starry night when the gecko complains to the elephant, who is the
village boss, that he can’t sleep because of the blinking of the fireflies. The next morning, the fireflies
explain to the elephant that they blink all night because the buffaloes drop poop all over the road and
travelers need to avoid it. The buffalo, showing equal thoughtfulness, explains that the rain washes his
poop into the road’s potholes to protect these same travelers. This does not appease the gecko, who
demands that the elephant talk to the rain. The rain admits to pouring all night long, but this is to provide
the mosquitoes with the water they need to survive. And without mosquitoes, what would geckos eat?
Elephant’s conclusion: “The world is all connected.” Content with this explanation, the gecko is finally
able to close his eyes and get a good night’s sleep. Valério’s bright acrylics, full of goofy grins and
exaggerated noses, highlight the humor of this bouncy ecological fable. (Picture book. 3-7)
Title Details: Go to Sleep, Gecko!
Author: Margaret Read MacDonald
Illustrator: Geraldo Valério
Interest Level: GR PreK-2
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