LITTLE SLEEPYHEAD

After a full day, the very young appreciate a hushed yet lively bedtime book to prepare for the evening ritual.

Lilting rhymes and charming, soft-edged illustrations in muted tones depict a variety of happy multiethnic and intergenerational families in this gentle ode to sleepyheads everywhere. Adorable, rosy-cheeked crawlers and new walkers of both genders are shown having a jolly, busy and very tiring day with an array of significant others, including loving pets; each body part has become totally exhausted by the day’s many activities. The warm text is easy enough for parents, older siblings, grandparents and other caregivers to memorize and dramatize; indeed, the text practically demands it. Try holding still while reading “Tired little arms, stretching up so high, // Tired little hands, waving bye, bye, bye.” Acting out these lines and, additionally, “Tired little toes, wiggling one to ten,” for example, will promote language development and prove great fun for babies and young toddlers to mimic. While the line “Tired little tummy, full of yum, yum, yum” sounds a tad twee, tiny listeners will love it and understand completely.

In the crowded field of bedtime books, this is a very sweet nighttime send-off for the littlest yawners.