THE SANDMAN

When Jay (a large-eyed boy with large-eyed toys) tries to stay awake all night, the Sandman (dressed like a construction worker) arrives with a wheelbarrow full of sand, dumps it in the bed, and then amuses Jay in larger, than-life fashion: a huge pop-up book, ""rocking"" his bed up to the ceiling, a hootenanny of a lullaby, a herd of real sheep to count. Meanwhile, the toys are busily engaged in their own pursuits. ""Someone's coming!"" and there's a dash for cover; then it's morning. For his first picture-book, Shepperson may not have an extraordinary plot; but his illustrations have a lively, distinctive style and are crammed with imaginative, often comic detail. After one reading, children will want several more to consider the pictures.