The Perfect Pillow

December 4, 2017
Brody can’t settle down in his “big new bed,” so he crawls out his window with his stuffed dragon, Horst, in search of someplace cozier. The sleeping spots they find are the stuff of dreams but are not suited for human children. A baby squirrel’s nest is too pokey, the clouds are too cold, and a rowboat is plagued with noisy frogs. Inevitably, Brody and Horst end up back in their own bed. Pinder (How to Build a Snow Bear) confidently wields an array of classic storytelling tools: noise words (“crick crack crunch”), insider details (“Horst waggled his wings, which is how dragons say yes”), and soothing litanies (“So he followed Horst around the pond, through the forest, under the clouds, and over a hill”). Sheban’s mixed-media spreads give the story its enchantment. Misty scenes in luminous, silvery shades breathe magic into Brody’s climb to the clouds and his flight back. It’s a story for kids who can’t go to bed without one last adventure. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

January 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 1-A boy and his trusty dragon go in search of the perfect sleeping arrangements in this sweet bedtime story about finding comfort in an unfamiliar space. When Brody and his dragon Horst can't get settled in their new bed in their new room, they crawl out the window in search of somewhere else to sleep. Neither a squirrel's leaf bed, nor a cloud, owl's nest, nor a boat floating on a pond serve, and each one is ruled out. Brody follows Horst home to find that his own bed in his own (new) home is actually just right, when you've got your best friend at your side. The text is filled with evocative vocabulary (silky, bobbled, chattering) that sets the perfect quiet mood. Sheban's watercolor, pencil, and pastel illustrations seem to have been sent through a bluish-green filter, creating a soft nighttime glow. Readers will be left with a warm, cozy feeling and will be ready for sleep after sharing this story. VERDICT A gorgeous addition to bedtime stories and library collections everywhere.-Mary Kuehner, Arapahoe Library District, CO

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2017
In the illusory space between wakefulness and dreams, Brody copes with universal childhood struggles--adjusting to a new space and learning to provide self-comfort. Brody is having a difficult time falling asleep in his new room. He sneaks into his parents' room, but they send him back to bed. In search of the perfect place to rest his head, Brody wanders out the window with his stuffed dragon, Horst. Away from the gazes of grown-up eyes, Horst silently comes to life, and they have a sleepy, whimsical adventure. Brody tries mimicking the squirrels, but the leaves are too crunchy. He drifts up to a cloud, but the roaring wind is too cold. He floats down to an owl's nest, but it is too crowded. After a few more unsuccessful attempts, he lets Horst lead the way. Horst walks Brody back home, where he snuggles up to his stuffed dragon companion, who is truly the perfect pillow in the end. Both the text and the illustrations exude gentleness, creating a very delicate exploration of the sleep challenges and fears that children can experience. The darkness is soft. Brody's pale skin glimmers under the moonlight, and the characters' faces subtly emote their sleepiness. A tender bedtime odyssey. (Picture book. 3-7)

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January 1, 2018
Preschool-K Unable to sleep, Brody kicks off his blankets, then pads into his parents' bedroom, plush dragon under arm, where he is groggily waved back to his room. Instead of getting in bed, the young boy climbs out the window and into a tree to join some squirrels that look oh-so-snug snoozing in their nest. Brody gathers up some leaves and twigs for a nest of his own, but, alas, it's far from comfortable and all his crackling awakens the squirrels, who send him packing. Next, he tries his luck on a fluffy cloud, but it proves far too windy and cold, so Brody and Horst (the dragon) move on once more. Their nighttime wanderings grow increasingly dreamlikea quality echoed in Sheban's green, blue, and lavender illustrations, softly rendered in watercolor, colored pencil, and pasteluntil they return home, where Brody realizes Horst, his constant companion, also makes a wonderful, sleep-inducing pillow. This sweet adventure is made for bedtimes, both in subject and its gentle tone, so get cozy before reading.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)