GOOD NIGHT, MY LOVE

A quiet and gentle lift-the-flap book from the Sandra Magsamen design franchise.

Through the use of simple endearments, the rhymes invite youngsters to bed, “Good night, my little buttercup. / It’s off to bed for you. // Good night, my precious baby bear. / May all your dreams come true.” The right page features a friendly cartoon drawing of the endearment embodied, such as a smiling flower, an open-armed teddy bear and a playful monkey, on a large, page-covering flap. Underneath the flap, the character appears to be blissfully asleep. The facing page and the verso of each flap feature the text in a loose typeface that has a handwritten feel. The characters and a few key words in the text are outlined in dotted lines, reminiscent of stitch-work. It is odd that the fine print on the back cover states, “Recommended for ages 3 & up,” since the rounded cartoons in highly saturated colors will appeal to babies, the flaps will entice toddlers, and there are no choking hazard warnings. The tactile crescent moon, constructed of a “safe & nontoxic” polyurethane foam and covered with sparkly fabric, is a playful gimmick, but it will make spine-out shelving difficult in bookcases.

The cozy art and tender verse will appeal to those seeking sentimental bedtime fare.