PAPA'S BEDTIME STORY

A story that elaborates the pattern of the circular tale beginning ``It was a dark and stormy night.'' Here, it's ``a warm and rumbling night in June'' when, in a peaceful and cozy cabin, a baby says, ``tell me a bedtime story.'' Papa's story begins in the same way as the book, but now it's a barn owl begging for a story, while his papa's tale concerns a family of chipmunks. So it goes, from one creature to another, until it finally rains and the wood frogs joyously begin to peep; on the last spread, the human baby, lulled by the repetitive story, the rain, and the frogs' song, is asleep at last. Donovan debuts with this warm bedtime chant; her language is lyrical and sweet, if a touch contrived. Root's delicately drawn illustrations are beautifully painted in watercolors glowing with the luminous greens and purples of a summer storm, while her gently appealing animal families are secure in compositions that emulate the safety of nests. A lovely book to share. (Picture book. 2-8)