No One Slept
Rafael Sica
Translated from the Portuguese by Bruna Dantas Lobato
No One Slept is a celebration of storytelling and a bedtime story for everyone—even restless ghosts.
No One Slept is a captivating children's book that doubles as a bedtime story for ghosts. Set in a hauntingly picturesque home, the story revolves around Little Kooky, a fearless little girl who helps her family and even the neighbor's dog fall asleep by sharing enchanting tales from her books. Without her, no one in the house would sleep.
This intriguing book evokes memories of sleepless nights and childhood fears, showcasing the power of stories to soothe even the most frightened residents in a haunted house. No One Slept is a story about insomnia, sleep, noise, silence, fear, death, life, family, home, and the supernatural, all through the lens of Little Kooky's reading adventures.
A leading figure in contemporary Brazilian comics, Rafael Sica is known for his illustrated books for adults. With this stunning picture book, he makes his debut in children's literature. Sica's illustrations, inspired by his hometown of Pelotas in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, add a layer of mystery that deepens the charm of this exceptional story.
A 100 Scope Notes Most Astonishingly Unconventional Book of 2025
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ISBN: 979-89887499-6-7
8.1” (W) x 8.1” (H) • 40 pages • Hardcover
$ 18.95
REVIEWS
★ “In this Brazilian import, a child soothes her relatives with the power of stories. Little Kooky lives in a house with her large extended family. At night, the whole household is restless; everyone is too afraid to sleep because of the ghost who haunts their home. But Little Kooky, unwilling “to let fear ruin her day,” grabs a good book. Traveling from room to room, she reads to her various family members to help them fall asleep—even the neighbor’s dog is lulled. Black-and-white images reminiscent of Edward Gorey’s work and spare, occasionally rhyming text translated from Portuguese set a ghostly yet somehow reassuring tone from the very start. Illustrations full of intricate details and textures rely on thin lines and crosshatching. An offbeat sense of humor occasionally peeks through. Readers will be intrigued by this simple story that offers a radical departure from typical picture-book art. A quiet celebration of reading and family that’s equal parts charming and gently spooky.” —Kirkus Reviews
★"From the very start of the book, this Brazilian story is, in turn, spooky and reassuring. A large house, full of eccentric family members creates a welcoming environment, but there’s a ghost in the wardrobe that won’t let them sleep. Resourceful Kooky picks up a book and starts reading a story that puts everyone to sleep – from the ghost to the neighbour’s dog. Black and white line drawings are detailed and textured but don’t overshadow the text, which relays the importance of storytelling. Sica has created a paranormal story to be enjoyed by the whole family." —WorldKidLit
★"For an entirely different take on the bedtime book, try Rafael Sica’s No One Slept, originally published in Brazil and translated from Portuguese by Bruna Dantas Lobato (Tapioca Stories, 2025). Fears of a ghost prevent an entire household from sleeping—until a young girl picks up a book and reads to each of her family members in turn. Rife with slyly funny details, Sica’s black-and-white images evoke the artwork of Edward Gorey or Charles Addams; this ode to the power of reading sets a slightly unnerving tone even as it soothes." —Mahnaz Dar, "International Kid Lit: A Passport to New Worlds", Kirkus Reviews