Snug in Mama's Arms

July 1, 2004
PreS-Gr 2-Medearis depicts a close-knit African-American family in this beautifully illustrated bedtime story. As a mother prepares her daughter for bed, she agrees to just one more story, even though "You're yawning and you're nodding, my little sleepyhead." After helping the girl tuck in all of her toys, Mama describes how different creatures settle down for the night: "Each mother bird and baby bird have nestled in the trees, /while daddy fish and baby fish rock gently in the seas." Ultimately, it is the comfort of cuddling in Mama's arms and the sound of her voice that bring on restful slumber. The author's soothing rhymes are enhanced by the rich, earth-tone paintings that evoke the quiet mood. Showing cozy scenes of the parent and child as well as the nocturnal natural world, the illustrations create a sense of love, warmth, and safety. Printed in an elegant font against a neutral background, the boxed text blends seamlessly with the artwork. Naptime or bedtime, this book will lull little ones to sleep without a fuss.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2004
PreS. In this gentle, soporific bedtime rhyme, an African American mother helps her little girl drift off to sleep. After listening to a story, tucking in stuffed animals, and turning out the light, the child lies down and listens as her mother tells of the world outside, where the wild animals and the farm animals are asleep and "children all around the world are snug in mamas' arms." The rhythm and rhyme never falter as the scene shifts from the child's cozy bedroom to the wide world and back again. Sandford captures the warmth of the domestic scenes to perfection, but his beautiful, mysterious pictures of outdoors at night will be even more fascinating to preschoolers. With dark tones and muted colors, these illustrations offer the challenge of finding little animals in their dark sleeping places and the pleasure of seeing familiar things made strange by the change of light. This offers both a broad vision and an engaging, childlike quality; it's a fine choice for bedtime or anytime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)