GOODNIGHT BAXTER

Bright colors in blunt shapes illustrate a new dog’s charming insistence that he can’t sleep alone. “ ‘Surprise!’ said Daddy as he opened his jacket and out popped a puppy.” Charlie names him Baxter and day one is a success—until bedtime. Left alone in a basket, Baxter tries many (amusing) positions before barking up the stairs in Charlie’s direction. Charlie offers him a blanket, a teddy bear, and even a pacifier—but we know what Baxter really wants. Although he “tumble[s] back down” the first time he tries, Baxter finally “wobble[s] and stumble[s]” up the steep stairs to Charlie’s bedroom, where he wakes Charlie up before falling happily asleep on the floor next to the bed. The illustrations are flat and shiny, with colors outlined boldly in black. Some of the drawing is abstract, but never at the cost of meaning. Cheerful. (Picture book. 2-5)