GOOD NIGHT, HARRY

Lewis delivers a sweet, slightly melancholy tale of Harry the stuffed elephant, first introduced in My Friend Harry (1995). For Harry, this may be a long night because, although his friends, a lamb and a bear, snooze beside him, sleep eludes him. He realizes he has forgotten his bedtime story, so he peruses his books until his eyes grow heavy—but still no sleep. He fruitlessly tries running in place and cleaning his room. “Maybe I’m not really comfy,” he muses as, back in bed, he tosses and turns. He thinks, he worries, and he rolls about, waking his companions. Together they take in the night, sing a song to the moon, and feel the night dew. With a final snuffle, Harry slumbers. Everyone who has a sleepless night now and then can relate to Henry’s discomfort and feel warmed as these plush animals nestle under the woolen afghan. The velvety artwork has a dreamy quality, combined with familiar details that will hasten and cushion the fall into sleep. (Picture book. 2-7)