SWEET DREAMS

When his baby sisters and brothers arrive, a rabbit moves to a new big bed. He stations his stuffed animals around the room to ward off lurking monsters: Raggy and Wallop atop the armoire, Tig and Patsy under the bed, Spotty and Mary under the chair. After the father presses a kiss of sweet dreams upon his eyelids (``Now keep them shut. Don't let the dreams escape''), the rabbit dreams of shadows and the monster therein: ``It wakes me up. I hide under the covers. I keep very still. I keep very quiet. It is very hot.'' His toy bear helps get him through the night. The father suggests a nightlight, but the small rabbit demurs, bringing all his pals into bed, and even inviting the monster along into the swirl of that night's dream. Porter acknowledges the things that go bump in every child's night without allowing terror to creep into the book, and kids can take heart in the reminders: that adults are near, that toys can be stalwart companions, that lights can be turned on as easily as they are turned off. The book comes loaded with flexible, sturdy lift-up flaps to reveal hidden places (under the bed and such), and the illustrations are cheery confections sure to keep demons at bay. (Picture book. 3-7)