A Wonderleaf question
Why do we need sleep?
a real page from the book
We need sleep because the brain and body use those hours to repair, sort, and reset. While a child rests, the brain clears waste, strengthens useful memories, and steadies feelings, while the body mends tissue and supports growth. Sleep is active maintenance, not a pause button.
One favorite detail is the brain's night plumbing, called the glymphatic system. Fluid washes between brain cells more freely during sleep, carrying away leftover proteins. That is one reason a rested morning can make homework, friendships, and bumped knees feel more manageable.
Wonder words
- neurons
- glymphatic
- hippocampus
- hormone
Try it out
Before bed, ask everyone to name one memory worth keeping and one worry to let rest until morning.
Read the whole picture book
Watercolour scenes, straight answers, about three minutes cover to cover.
Open the picture bookKeep wondering
- Why does hair grow?
- How do germs get inside the body?
- Why do we cry tears?
- Why do we sweat?
- Why does my stomach growl?
- Why do we have a belly button?
One more wonder: Why is space so dark?
And the next question?
Ask anything — Wonderleaf writes and illustrates a picture book for it. That's the whole idea.
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