Little Sleepyhead

January 15, 2015
After a full day, the very young appreciate a hushed yet lively bedtime book to prepare for the evening ritual.Lilting rhymes and charming, soft-edged illustrations in muted tones depict a variety of happy multiethnic and intergenerational families in this gentle ode to sleepyheads everywhere. Adorable, rosy-cheeked crawlers and new walkers of both genders are shown having a jolly, busy and very tiring day with an array of significant others, including loving pets; each body part has become totally exhausted by the day's many activities. The warm text is easy enough for parents, older siblings, grandparents and other caregivers to memorize and dramatize; indeed, the text practically demands it. Try holding still while reading "Tired little arms, stretching up so high, // Tired little hands, waving bye, bye, bye." Acting out these lines and, additionally, "Tired little toes, wiggling one to ten," for example, will promote language development and prove great fun for babies and young toddlers to mimic. While the line "Tired little tummy, full of yum, yum, yum" sounds a tad twee, tiny listeners will love it and understand completely. In the crowded field of bedtime books, this is a very sweet nighttime send-off for the littlest yawners. (Picture book. 9 mos.-2)

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January 1, 2015

PreS-Spare text and large, fluid illustrations come together in this bedtime story. McPike's rhyming tale flows as smoothly as a lullaby, describing a child's body parts, from "tired little toes" to "tired little everything" as a variety of "precious little sleepyheads" are prepared for bed. The text is presented in couplets printed in a different color on each spread. Barton's illustrations show a variety of babies, siblings, and caregivers in large format on a white background that will translate well for those viewing the book up-close or from a distance in a read-aloud setting. An excellent choice for bedtime-themed programs or one-on-one nighttime routines.-Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2015
Preschool At the end of the day, many babies and toddlers are tired, from their toes to their sleepy heads. This engaging picture book points out one weary part after another, in couplets such as Tired little knees, / crawling to and from, / Tired little tummy, / full of yum, yum, yum. The text is just long enough to tie the ideas together nicely while keeping the forward motion of a picture book designed for the youngest children. In the winsome illustrations, a racially diverse group of babies engages in activities such as crawling, reaching for bubbles, and waving to a bird. These soft pencil drawings, with digitally added colors, patterns, and textures, combine childlike activities with affectionate relationships. Each double-page spread shows a different child interacting with a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other caregiver (even a family dog). Although this would be a good read-aloud choice at any time of day, it really shines (as the title suggests) as a bedtime book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)