Hush, little rocket

Cosmic couplets riff on the classic lullaby "Hush, Little Baby" to usher a little round-nosed rocket off to sleep in this bedtime book. After a day "swishing past stars in the Milky Way," a small, smiling rocket and a larger spacecraft zip past planets and moons, until arrival home launches a bedtime routine consisting of windscreen brushing and a gentle nose rub. Planetary smiles greet the youthful vessel as it voyages through iridescent skyscapes in Cook's striated illustrations. O'Hara lightly inserts facts throughout, and more in back matter, referencing Mars's blue sunsets and Uranus's tilted axis. Space-themed dreams are sure to ensue. Ages 1--4. (Mar.)

"Hush, Little Baby" gets a fresh set of lyrics with illustrations to match as two rockets zoom around our solar system before bedtime. On the inviting cover, a large, pointy rocket flies above a smaller, rounder one; their peaceful, serene expressions are a pleasing contrast to the speed at which they're evidently moving through the solar system, starting near the sun and visiting "each planet friend" on their "bedtime flight." The new lyrics to this familiar tune match the meter perfectly and provide a space fact for each planet (e.g., Venus "spinning backward 'cause it's upside down"). Illustrations include accurate details as well, such as a rover on Mars and Uranus' tilt. The darkness of space makes the bright colors of the planets, moons, and stars pop. Like the rockets, the planets have cheerful expressions, with round dots for eyes and a small curve for a smile. By the time the two rockets "rub our nose cones and say, 'Good night,' " readers won't be able to resist doing the same before drifting off to "cosmic dreams." Backmatter includes more information about the solar system, the Milky Way, and each planet. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A stellar twist on an old lullaby. (Picture book. 0-4) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.