BAYA, BAYA, LULLA-BY-A

An Indian mother lulls her choti ladki (little girl) to sleep, singing of baya-birds weaving and decorating their pendulous nest in an old thorn tree as she weaves a blanket, and rocks the child in a suspended chadr (scarf). In poses, dress, and adornment, the drowsy child, her loving mother, and other figures reflect traditional styles of Indian art. McDonald also invokes a common tradition by injecting an element of danger into her murmurous lullaby; the bough’s not about to break, but a cobra’s silent approach is heralded by the baya-birds’ warning cries in time for mother to whisk baby to safety. Rosenberry’s richly colored, finely detailed scenes give the effectively soporific verses a lovely backdrop. Lovely. (afterword, glossary) (Picture book. 1-4)