BED, BED, BED

The Grammy-winning alternative rock/pop duo of John Linnell and John Flansburgh, better known as They Might Be Giants, released its first children's music album last year, and now continues to stretch its wings with this picture-book adaptation of four of its songs. The text/lyrics fittingly dance across the pages, divided into four vignettes. With their dreamy quality, "Impossible" ("Though it happens quite impossibly,/ the impossible turns out to be/ possibly") and "Idlewild" may prime bedtime imaginations. Though it works well with the musical accompaniment, the catchy number "Happy Doesn't Have to Have an Ending," about a "long-haired hippie kitten" that cuts a rug, is less successful as a stand-alone verse than its three companion songs. And the title track/story makes a fine tucking-in tune–cum–read-aloud. Throughout, the diminutive book features spare and delicate ink-and-watercolor paintings with a limited palette of moss green, brown, red and gray. And youngsters will likely take a shine to the boy, girl and various fantastic and humorous creatures that cavort from scene to scene. Paired with an equally small and delicate typeface, these compositions suggest a child's book of yesteryear. All ages. (Nov.)