BLACK AND WHITE NIGHTY-NIGHT

A little owlet says goodnight to all the animals on the farm.

The initial double-page spread depicts a little owl soaring off into the starry night sky: “Rise and shine, little owlet. The moon is in the sky. Say nighty-night to barnyard friends as you fly on by.” On subsequent pages, owlet wishes sweet dreams and sound sleep to the cow and calf, the “cozy lambs,” the “hen and chickies,” a “fluffy kitty cat,” and “momma pig” and her piglets. All of the images are black-and-white cut-paper illustrations, providing the sharp contrast that young babies’ eyes respond to best. Each image features cute critters in and around the barnyard with little owlet somewhere up above. On the final pages, owlet flies by baby’s window, wishing the slumbering infant “Nighty-night,” images of the hen, pig, cow, and lambs from earlier pages dangling from a mobile positioned over her crib.

Easy, rhythmic text and appealing, high-contrast illustrations on sturdy board pages make this a sweet and suitable addition to lap-time programs or baby’s nighttime routine.