DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME

Schaefer weaves an enchanting bedtime tale for rambunctious tots. A quartet of harried animal mothers endeavor to get their little ones tucked into bed. Not surprisingly, their mischievous offspring promptly provide a myriad of reasons to postpone bedtime; bear cubs frolic in the undergrowth, ravenous hedgehogs search for a morsel of food, energetic bunnies play a final game of peek-a-boo, and a trio of toadlets serenade their Mommy with one last song. Grandma Owl, a veteran Mom herself, soon assesses the situation and calls the troops to order with the clarion call of story time. With her simple lullaby she calms the restless youngsters and soon the forest is quiet as they drift off to dream-land. Cabban’s lush watercolors capture the loveliness of the forest at dusk in a symphony of colors ranging from deep emerald to soft lavender hues. Irresistibly cuddly creatures cavort across the full-page illustrations, capturing readers’ fancies. Young readers can readily relate to the delaying tactics of the sleep-wary babies while parents and caregivers will empathize with the weary animal mothers. A cozy tale that provides a soothing transition from play-time to bedtime for bustling babies and toddlers. (Picture book. 2-5)