SLEEPY BIRD

Bird is anything but ready for bed in his latest adventure.

Bird’s wide-open eyes on the title page set up the story’s arc. It is bedtime, but “Bird was not ready to go to sleep.” His friends offer familiar comforts: a “blankie,” a book (previous titles about Bird), a stuffed animal (a cat!), and a lullaby. Sheep even offers to be counted. Bird is not at all receptive, but all his walking about does make him tired and weepy. His friends come running to his side with all their bedtime rituals that were previously rejected out of hand. And they do the job—albeit with a fun twist to end the tale. In past titles, Bird was grumpy (Grumpy Bird, 2007), injured (Boo Hoo Bird, 2009), and hungry (Hungry Bird, 2016). The familiar palette, rendered in ink and digital media, presents Bird in an intense shade of blue outlined in thick black strokes. His animal friends are similarly depicted in oranges, yellows, and reds. All stand out against a busy blue nighttime background.

Caregivers faced with little ones who just won’t settle down for the night may find that this title offers some pointers—and some hope