Called to bed, Little Monkey won’t go until he says good night. “He scampers to the Big Top tent. ‘Come back,’ calls Papa. / But Little Monkey jumps / BOING! / into the Ringmaster’s spotlight. ‘Good night, Ringmaster.’ Ringmaster tips his tall top hat and sweeps Little Monkey / SWISH! / through the Poodle’s hoop. / ‘Good night, Poodle.’ ” One onomatopoetic leap follows another as Little Monkey bids good night to each performer. His rounds end in a swish with Mama on the trapeze followed by the excited clapping and cheering of the crowd. Finally, Papa tucks Little Monkey in with a good night of his very own. Paul (Silly Sadie, Silly Samuel, 2000, etc.) inspired by her own son’s need to wish everyone in the house good night, has written one of the noisiest bedtime stories ever. Debut children’s book illustrator Walker’s pudgy, smiling, energetic characters are rendered in soft yet bright pastel colors. Together they have created a perfect good-night read. The only drawback is that when listeners reach the end, they’ll ask to start again. (Picture book. 2-5)
