Charlotte Jane Battles Bedtime

"Charlotte Jane the Hearty came howling into the world with the sunrise," but she's so full of pirate swagger and "formidable oomph," that she refuses to go to bed. First-time author Wolfe and Spanish illustrator Monescillo, making her U.S. debut, sprinkle the book with enough derring-do to please the most enthusiastic, action-loving pirate fans. "I like to get all the juice out of my days!" Charlotte Jane announces, but after missing an entire night's sleep, she feels miserable the next day. "Her oomph seemed to have gone to sleep without her. %E2%80%98Traitor,' she said." Her parents go in search of her missing oomph, but it's Charlotte Jane who solves her own problem by discovering that while "Sleep was for landlubbers," dreams are another story, providing her both with nocturnal excitement and ammunition for the next day's adventures. Monescillo's detailed and gently textured watercolors are full of insouciant pirate energy (Charlotte Jane's bravado is matched by that of her surly teddy bear, who wears an eye patch), and Wolfe's text has as much charm and verve as her heroine. Ages 4%E2%80%938. (Sept.)