After reading Mark O’Connell’s essay – Letter of Recommendation – in the New York Times Magazine, describing his success inducing sleep in his three year-old by reading Carl-Johan Forssen Ehrlin’s The Rabbit Who Wants to Fall Asleep: A New Way of Getting Children to Sleep, I was curious to hear the book.

With my extra audible points, I downloaded the children’s book.  It starts with a warning not to use while driving, and continues with a slow smooth “once upon a time…” with soothing chiming music in the background.  The words are irrelevant and seem to fade into the slow rhythm of the voice – hypnosis came to mind.

Although I tried to stay alert, the monotony of the voice reminded me of a boring college lecture in a warm hall, and I found myself nodding off when the narrator yawned.  The listening length is about 30 minutes, but after the first five, I was ready to fast forward in a faster speed – not recommended if you really want to fall asleep – and heard about the magic sleeping powder and sleepy snail and the final good night.

I plan to use it on my next red eye flight, but now – I need a nap.