The Best Bed for Me

Bedtime delays abound in this book centering a young animal lover. While a child envisions snoozing as different creatures do, a parent patiently attempts to wind things down as another adult tends to an infant. “Maybe I could sleep upside down like... a bat! They hold on with their feet and hang down from branches,” says the brown-skinned, rosy-cheeked child, portrayed in red footie pj’s among a colony of bats. “My little bat, it’s time to calm our bodies down,” replies tan-skinned, short-haired Mama. Cycling through koalas, sea otters, piglets, puffins, whales, and emperor penguins, the story integrates notable facts about the featured critters’ nocturnal habits, while pencil and watercolor illustrations finished digitally show the child cozying up with friendly wildlife pals who seem similarly disinclined to settle. After a smooth segue by Mama that emphasizes a loving parent-child relationship, the book reaches a snuggly conclusion that sets the stage for sweet animal dreams. Ages 3–7. (May)