The book is titled The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep, and was written by a Swedish behavioral scientist Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin in 2010. It was published in English in the United States in 2014, and has been gaining popularity since then.
In the instructions, Ehrlin tells readers to read bold words with emphasis, italicized words slowly and in a low voice, and to yawn when the book instructs. He also recommends the children lay down and not look at the pictures.
The book has been widely reviewed as a success, and Fayetteville couple Danielle and Kertis Weatherby decided to do an experiment with 5NEWS to see if their 4-year-old daughter Jillian and 5-year-old son Josh went to sleep easier after the book was read.
"Jillian has never been a sound sleeper, she's up a couple times a night, usually comes into our room once or twice and it's incredibly disruptive." Danielle said, "We wake up, we've got to get her back to sleep, it's a whole production and we would be delighted if she just stayed asleep all night long and we could all get a good night's sleep."
The Weatherby couple read the story to their kids, and then shared their experience the next day.
"We thought it worked with one of our children and did not work with our second child," Danielle said.
She said the repetition of the book, as well as how long it took to read, worked for Josh. She said both kids' names throughout the story as the book instructed was not productive.
"Our kids ended up competing as to whose name was said more times and so they turned it into a competitive game which didn't help them fall asleep," Kertis said.
Danielle, who read the book, said the rhythm and psychological tricks of the book was definitely working on her. In the instructions, Erhlin warns readers to use caution, and never read the book aloud to someone who is driving.
"I was reading the book start to finish and, I think about 4 or 5 pages in, I literally thought I was going to fall asleep." Danielle said, "I had to regain my composure so I could finish the book."
The Weatherby's said the biggest problem the book didn't address is staying asleep. Jillian woke up several times throughout the night. Despite the less-than satisfactory results, both agreed they would be willing to try the book again with a few minor adjustments.
The book can be purchased online or in stores like Barnes & Noble or Target.