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School Library Journal, Starred Review
Shhh…It’s Sleepy Time
Ideal for helping youngsters wind down from a busy day, The Family Bedtime Treasury: Tales for Sleepy Times and Sweet Dreams (Houghton Harcourt, 2012; PreS-Gr 3) presents a cozy collection of eight beautifully reproduced slumber-themed picture books and eight illustrated poems. The offerings represent an enticing variety of storytelling moods and artistic styles guaranteed to hold the attention of young listeners.
Tried-and-true favorites, such as Audrey and Don Wood’s buoyant The Napping House (1984) and Joyce Dunbar and Debi Gliori’s night-fears-assuaging Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Bed (1998), are joined by newer works, including Wendy Watson’s almost wordless (but bursting with sound effects) Bedtime Bunnies (2010), Karen Beaumont and Jackie Urbanovic’s farmyard treat, No Sleep for Sheep (2011); and Olivier Dunrea’s Gideon (2012), starring a childlike gosling who would rather play than nap (until he falls fast asleep atop a haystack). Presented on single and double-page spreads, the poems include a traditional Hawaiian lullaby illustrated in sunset hues by Kate Kiesler (Fishing for a Dream, 1999); Calef Brown’s night-flight ode to a “Young Moth” (Soup for Breakfast, 2008); and Dana Jensen’s wistful “When Stars Make Wishes,” illustrated by Tricia Tusa (A Meal of the Stars, 2012, all Houghton Harcourt).
An appended section introduces the featured authors and illustrators, highlights some of their publications, and lists pertinent websites, encouraging parents to seek out more wonderful selections. The book comes with an audio CD recording (which can also be downloaded) of 21 classical music pieces played on oboe, cello, and keyboard, just right for settling down wide-awake little ones and inspiring flights of fancy. Recommend this thoughtfully complied, pleasingly designed volume to patrons seeking out bedtime or naptime suggestions—they’ll appreciate the package deal.
- Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal (www.slj.com), August 20, 2012