Sleepsong

It's time.

Bears, birds, cats, whales, oceans the earth itself must call it a day.

Just the time to pick out this book, climb on a lap, and listen.

Just the time to watch the light rise and fall at the corners of your eyes - to doze, to sigh, to say to this day, this one among many, shhhhhh shhhh good-bye.

Publishers Weekly

Lyon and Catalanotto (previously paired for Mother to Tigers) offer a going-to-bed book with rhythmic, Raffi-like lyrics: "Everything nests-Shh shh-Everything rests-Shh shh-Cow in the barn-Fox in the den-I'm right here-Tucking you in." Envisioning a classically telegenic family with a blue-eyed, blonde daughter, Catalanotto paints luminous full-bleed watercolor spreads of the usual before-bed routine: bath, story, tuck in. He imagines sleep as an indigo layer of wash that floats up from the bottom of the pages, where the animals in the song are already sleeping, curled up in bluish, moonlit hues. These colors gradually engulf the girl, receding when the routine is derailed (it shrinks when she's bouncing), then creeping back up as she quiets down. In the final spread, when the girl falls asleep, her image joins all the other slumbering baby animals nestling together in one big den. A melody for the text appears on the last page. Lovely. Ages 1-4. (Dec.)

George Ella Lyon has written many books for young readers including the

award-winning picture book Mother to Tigers, No Dessert Forever!,

both illustrated by Peter Catalanotto and Trucks Roll! illustrated by

Craig Frazier. Her novel, Sonny's House of Spies, earned two starred

reviews and was nominated for a Kentucky Bluegrass Award. George Ella lives in

Lexington, Kentucky with her family. Find out more about the author and

school visit information at www.georgeellalyon.com

Peter Catalanotto has written nine picture books, including two companion volumes to this one, Daisy 1, 2, 3 and Matthew A.B.C., and Emily's Art, of which School Library Journal said in a starred review, "Whether viewed from afar or up close, this creative and heartfelt book is a masterpiece." He has illustrated thirty books in all, among them several collaborations with George Ella Lyon. Their most recent book, Mother to Tigers, received a starred review in School Library Journal and was one of the New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2003. He lives with his family and his two dogs in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.