THE ANIMALS' LULLABY
by Tom Paxton & illustrated by Erick Ingraham
A soporific song with verses about animals—``Foxes are drowsy/Deep in their cool, dark den./Sleep little red-tailed foxes,/Morning will come again./Good night foxes,/Good night.'' Listeners who manage to stay awake through the first dozen repetitions of the singsong-y melody (included) can go on to a 13th (sunset and sandman) and the last (``Children are snuggling''). Ingraham's acrylic paintings, gently bordered in blanket-soft colors like olive and mauve, are beautifully composed to reflect the peaceful tone; his animals—horses trotting to the barn, otters taking a last quiet slide, porcupines curling up together, kittens yawning, etc.—are precisely observed and skillfully rendered. Attractive. (Picture book. 1-6)