SAILING OFF TO SLEEP

In this before-bed adventure, a mother and daughter build a story together. Mother begins: “It’s nighttime, my little one. Climb into bed.” Wherein the young daughter responds, “I don’t want to sleep—I’ll go sailing instead.” Thus we embark on a make-believe journey to the arctic replete with the animals that live there, from familiar whales and walruses to the not-so-familiar caribou and auks. All the animals the youngster meets along the way assist her on her travels. When all is said and done, it’s clear that simply imagining travel is sufficient for the moment. The light tone carries the tale, along with a singsong brevity. Winter’s (If You Had a Nose Like an Elephant’s Trunk, p. 1117, etc.) gentle illustrations are done in dreamy-toned colored pencil and soft watercolors, and the animals are realistically drawn but given friendly expressions. It is a nice touch that all the creatures that the little girl meets show up tucked into bed with the child traveler. Ashman (Maxwell’s Magic Mix-up, not reviewed, etc.) has written a splendid bedtime fantasy that’s perfect for cold winter nights and, by example, could lead to parents and children putting their heads together to create their own tales. A tender read-a-loud that ends comfortingly in mother’s arms and then snuggled into bed. (Picture book. 3-6)