GOOD NIGHT, HATTIE, MY DEARIE, MY DOVE

A reassuring and recognizable bedtime (and counting) story—first published in 1985—is given new pictures full of vibrant texture and sweet energy. Hattie is leading a parade of her stuffies, counting them by name, and describing their personalities. Number four is Parker, who had lost a bunny ear in the washer; Seven is the teddy bear, named Clam Chowder “ever since he fell into Hattie’s soup.” It is bedtime, and Mama and Daddy help Hattie carry everyone upstairs. But each time one of her parents says, “Good night, Hattie, my dearie, my dove,” she finds a reason to add another buddy. Dinah the doll has “inside chicken pox”; she promised Hairy that he could sleep in her bed; Boomer is afraid of chickens in the closet; and so on, until all of the toys are tucked in so one can scarcely see Hattie. Finally, Mama says good night to each in turn, and the last frame finds Hattie sound asleep, surrounded by her loved ones. Rand portrays the grubby surface, furry or bristly arms, and bright-eyed demeanor of Hattie’s toys with great tenderness and clarity. The numbers appear along with the toys and again within the text and are painted in rich colors that pick up those of the animals. Very nice to have a new version of this one. (Picture book. 3-7)