Moonlight, goodnight

PreS-Gr 1--An owl acts as host for this book, accompanying readers over land and sea, highlighting eight wild animals who are preparing for bedtime. Lyrical text introduces each sleepy animal before inviting readers to say goodnight. Beautiful illustrations with a soothing, nighttime color scheme will lull little ones to sleep. Inspired by Australian Aboriginal dot art, the illustrator highlights the flora and fauna spectacularly. Readers will love looking at the vast starfilled sky, with all its lovely detail, and find the animals tucked into the pages. VERDICT A serviceable bedtime story with outstanding illustrations, perhaps for post-story-hour naps.--Melisa Bailey

An owl visits various animals as they each in turn bid readers good night. After the sun sets and the moon rises, the owl emerges from its hole in a tree and begins its journey through the night. A toucan settles down after hours of gathering fruit, a cheetah beds down under a tree following a day spent hunting antelope, a bear reclines on a mountaintop after digging for food, and so it goes until dawn, when it's the owl's turn to rest. The bird also watches as sea creatures such as a whale and an octopus prepare to slumber. This is an ideal story to help little ones wind down. A palette of blues, greens, and browns sets a calming tone; as the sun rises in the last pages, bright pinks and oranges are introduced. The intricate patterns on the creatures' feathers, skin, and fur--red stripes along the elephant's body, jewel-like details on the owl, diamond-esque pinpoints along the whale's body matching the stars above--will hold readers' attention as the simple yet eloquent rhymes and gentle endearments lull little ones to sleep. Readers will encounter both familiar and potentially new animals while learning some general facts about each one. A soothing, visually striking sleepy-time sendoff.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.