THE FAMILY BEDTIME TREASURY: TALES FOR SLEEPY TIMES AND SWEET DREAMS

PreS—This anthology includes eight picture books, eight poems, and a 60-minute CD of "comforting" classical music (also available for download). The selection of stories is strong, kicking off with Audrey Wood's The Napping House (1984), then moving to more recent titles. Most are aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, such as Olivier Dunrea's Gideon (2012) and Wendy Watson's Bedtime Bunnies (2010). For the most part, the poetry is stellar, highlighting works by Joyce Sidman, Calef Brown, Bob Raczka, and Maxine Kumin, each beautifully illustrated. Only one (a Curious George poem written years after H. A. Rey's death) misses the mark. Likewise, most of the bedtime stories are well chosen, such as Deborah Underwood's The Quiet Book (2010) and Karen Beaumont's No Sleep for the Sheep (2011). Eileen Christelow's Five Little Monkeys Reading in Bed (2011), June Sobel's The Goodnight Train (2006), and Joyce Dunbar's comparatively weak Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep (1998, all Houghton Harcourt) round out the collection. An excellent choice for parents, this is most appealing as a gift book. Libraries with room on their shelves may also wish to add it to their collection.—Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR