Sweet Dreams Lullaby

February 1, 2010
PreS-KA baby rabbit is tucked in, in a cozy burrow. "The day is done, it's time for bed./let peaceful moments fill your head./so cuddle up and snuggle in, /and let your happy dreams begin." She is instructed to "dream of comforts all around" as scenes of a glowing warm morning gradually give way to rosy afternoons and then evening skies. The language and pictures become quieter and sleepier: "a daddy frog sings low and deep, /lulling all the pond to sleep." The final spread shows the rabbit asleep in her bed, watched over by a smiling Moon. The idea of lulling oneself to sleep like this is an appealing one, and the smooth verse and accessible pictures are appealing as well. The colors are jewel-like, especially in the evening scenes. But the cozy atmosphere needs some warmth and texture in the artwork. Instead, the overall effect is slick and monotonous, which doesn't really suit the mood. For larger collections, and/or where more bedtime books are in demand."Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2009
Preschool-K The author-illustrator of Haiku Baby (2008) offers a soothing bedtime story with just the right amount of sweetness. As a little bunny gets tucked into his bed, he dreams of his pastoral world outside as it slows down and readies for night. Dandelions, robin eggs, flower blossoms, frogs, caterpillars, and more all prepare for the night. Dream of comforts all around, / in soothing colors, shapes, and sounds. / Set your cares and wishes free / to ride the dandelion breeze. With their gentle cadence, Snyders short rhyming phrases add to the cuddly effect. The charming collage artwork, with images of snuggling squirrels and daddy frogs singing little ones to sleep, will bring a smile. Particularly effective are the backgrounds as the colors of the skyand the pagesgo from sunny yellow to pinks and oranges, then deep purples and blues, as the sun finally sets and the moon rises. A worthy and welcome addition to the canon of cozy bedtime stories.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2010
A bunny's dream itinerary includes such sights as bathing ducks, flashing fireflies, and sunset clouds that look like vegetables. The soothing imagery ("set your cares and wishes free / to ride the dandelion breeze") creates the perfect time-for-bed mood, though the story may be a bit long for the youngest listeners. Blocky illustrations blend vivid colors to make each setting distinct.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)