I LOVE YOU, SLEEPYHEAD

The tender reassurance of a mother’s affecting presence at bedtime is a universally appreciated theme (hence its ubiquity), here handsomely rendered by Mendez in fuzzy-edged full-page paintings of animal families, accompanied by a gentle, sometimes lyrical, sometimes imbalanced rhyme. “Look, little child, / as the night is unfurled, / The animals are going to bed / all around the world.” The sleepy-eyed fawn feels safe by her mother, and yawning lion cubs snuggle up to a watchful lioness. Waddling ducklings huddle, little bear cuddles, while mother otter cradles baby “in the dappled moonlight.” Young owls, a baby penguin, rabbits, monkeys, a panda and whale cub all feel close and safe as each, in turn, is kissed and told to “Sleep, my child, sleep, / ‘neath the moon’s silver light. / I love you, sleepyhead, / sweet dreams—goodnight!” A visual lullaby of love and peace sadly hampered by the limping scansion. (Picture book. 2-5)