The Sleepwalkers by Viviane Schwarz (review)

Plagued by nightmares? Fear not, sleepy reader, a peaceful rest awaits you now that the Sleepwalkers are here to banish those pesky bad dreams for good. First, however, they have to undergo a major staffing change in this whimsical graphic novel, as the three incumbent Walkers (a goat, a ram, and a bison) yearn to take a rest themselves and recruit Bonno, a large but timid bear (formerly a blanket); Amali, an overeager sock monkey; and Sophia, a crow-like creature with a pen-nib head. The three must overcome their fears and insecurities to tackle the fears and insecurities of snoozing children, rescuing dreamers from N.I.P. (Naked in Public) scenarios, dreamscapes overrun with giant rats, and never-ending falls through the ether. The cheerful chaos of the plot structure and the illustrations provide cheerful buoyancy, and though the sequencing of the panels gets a bit confusing at times, the ultimate effect is that of a strange but enjoyable dream. The sketchy art, with its vaguely formed figures and sudden shifts in detail and scope, perfectly echoes the nebulous space of the inner mind, and youngsters with particularly active imaginations will find this a celebratory home for their fantastical whimsies. Fitful sleepers everywhere will be relieved that Bonno and pals are working to keep the nightmares at bay.