THE BEAR, THE BOOK, AND THE BLANKET

A fluffle of bunnies are on an alliterative mission to get a human infant to sleep.

Ten bright-blue rabbits, each with names beginning with B, tromp into Baby’s room. The narrator quickly reminds the bunnies that it’s Baby’s bedtime. “SHHHHHHH.” But wait. “Baby needs Bear, Book, and Blanket.” The cottontails quickly begin searching for Baby’s teddy. Many are found, but none of them are Baby’s cherished plaything. Finally, Baby is reunited with Bear. (Turns out one of the bunnies, Bobbie, had found the plush toy and was reluctant to part with it—a scene that will have readers chuckling.) Time to find Book and Blanket! As the eager bunnies scurry off chaotically, the weary narrator tries to rein them in: “Bunnies…you don’t need to take all the books off all the shelves.” (A nonplussed cat looks on.) The bunnies all wear distinct items of clothing so readers can follow their various paths, noting their contributions toward Baby’s nighttime goal. The droll narration pairs well with the scampering helpers, who never give up. Understandably, all the bunnies are exhausted by book’s end. It’s now time for them to snuggle up with their own bears, books, and blankets. Hopefully, sleepy readers will follow suit. In Adamson’s flat, exaggerated cartoon art, Baby has brown skin and a single squiggle of brown hair.

A silly bedtime caper, likely to elicit more giggles than yawns.