FRED’S BED

A simple, satisfying, reassuring tale of little Fred’s transition from crib to “big boy’s bed.” Singer’s (A Pair of Wings, p. 422, etc.) skill with this age group is apparent as the mother offers her son rhyming options to the crib: “Would you like to rest, in an eagle’s nest, way up high near the sky?” and he replies, “Too high.” The fantasy continues with the refrain “I need another kind of bed.” Adinolfi (The Birthday Letters, 2000, etc.) generously renders colored mixed-media paintings, with turquoise blues and soft lavenders, cherry reds, and lime greens on textured paper, some framed by spongy color and others spreading over the very edges of the page. Each painting displays just the right amount of fantasy and security. Fred tries snuggling down a rabbit hole, a “snooze in the fishy ooze,” “a nap in a monkey’s lap,” among other whimsical places, until his mama provides him with “a big, soft mattress, bright red spread, some fluffy pillows for your head.” Just right. (Harper Growing Tree series) (Picture book. 2-4)