Little Dino was a very sleepy dinosaur, but tonight, he just couldn't close his eyes. He wiggled his toes, he yawned a big yawn, but his eyes stayed wide open! "I can't sleep!" he whispered to his mama.
Mama Dino smiled. "Sometimes, little ones need a little help finding their sleepy place," she said. "Let's take a pretend journey! Close your eyes, and imagine we're floating on a big, soft leaf down a gentle river."
Little Dino closed his eyes, and he *could* imagine it! The leaf felt warm and cozy. He imagined colorful fish swimming underneath, and fluffy clouds drifting overhead. "It's so peaceful," he murmured.
"Now, imagine we're floating past a field of glowing flowers," Mama Dino continued. "Each flower is a happy thought. Think of something that made you smile today."
Little Dino thought about playing hide-and-seek with his friends. He giggled. "I smiled when I found Rosie the Triceratops!" he said. The flower glowed even brighter.
"Good!" said Mama Dino. "Now, we're floating past a forest of sleepy trees. They're all yawning and getting ready for bed, just like you."
Little Dino imagined the trees stretching their branches and letting out big, sleepy sighs. He felt his own eyelids getting heavy. He noticed his breathing was becoming slow and calm.
"And now," Mama Dino whispered, "we're back in our cozy nest. The river has carried all your worries away. It's time to rest, little one."
Little Dino snuggled close to his mama. He felt safe and warm and very, very sleepy. He realized that even when he couldn't sleep right away, he could find his own peaceful place inside his imagination.
He took a deep breath, and this time, when he closed his eyes, sweet dreams came quickly. He dreamed of floating on leaves, glowing flowers, and sleepy trees. And Mama Dino smiled, knowing her little Dino was finally resting peacefully.