From Publishers Weekly
Although its title seems to promise moon-kissed metaphors and dreamy rhythms, this collection of lilting verse ventures far beyond its stated theme. It's difficult, for example, to see what a poem about soaring "on borrowed wings/ of Poetry" or another about feeling the "tickle" in a field of goldenrod has to do with bedtime. Among poems dedicated to bedtime and slumber, "Counting Sheep to Get to Sleep" describes rambunctious sheep ("The next time I can't get to sleep/ I'll try warm milk") and "I Don't Believe in Bigfoot" is about not yielding to scary nighttime monsters ("I'm hoping with my fingers crossed/ They don't believe in me"). Spinelli's (Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch) poems are by turn contemplative, funny and sweet, all couched in language easily accessible to her audience. Populated by Mercer Mayer-type children and grinning animals, Moore's (Songs of Summer) colored pencil and watercolor illustrations offer few surprises in an otherwise pleasant volume. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-From "I'd Rather Sleep at the Zoo" ("What could be worse/Than a lion who roars?/What could be worse?/A brother who snores!") to "August Bedtime" ("Back-porch hammock/Soft and deep/Sways me into/Summersleep"), Spinelli explores the pros and cons of falling asleep. The poems are consistently sweet and gentle, rather than distinguished or splashy. However, it's the combination of words and illustrations, which both sing in the same voice, that makes this book successful. Moore's colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations clarify and extend the poetry. Both express a mild sense of humor and nod lovingly to young children's sensibilities; both are charming and quiet. In age appeal, this title falls between Nancy Larrick's Night of the Whippoorwill (Philomel, 1992; o.p.) and Kay Chorao's Baby's Bedtime Book (Dutton, 1984). John Bierhorst's On the Road of Stars (Macmillan, 1994), Eloise Greenfield's Night on Neighborhood Street (Dial, 1991), and Lee Bennett Hopkins's Still As a Star (Little, 1989) would add more flavor to bedtime poetry collections.?Liza Bliss, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.