MAYBE, MY BABY

Janovitz (Three Little Kittens, not reviewed, etc.) adds a wishful, animal bedtime lullaby to the already overstuffed shelf. Here, babies are nuzzled, stroked, cuddled, and kissed as they drift off to sleep in the warm safety of their parents’ embrace. A baby penguin perches on his father’s feet; a baby otter snuggles on her mother’s belly; a mother nuzzles her baby lion cub; and a baby whale floats slowly against her mother’s side. “Maybe, my baby, / you’ll close your eyes, / And maybe, my baby, / you’ll fall fast asleep. / Good night, my baby, good night.” The poem ends as the last baby, this time human, drifts off to sleep. Softly rendered watercolor washes with pen details fill each page, accompanying the rhythmic and repetitive verses. Soft and snuggly, but unfortunately, not unique. (Picture book. 2-4)