Rock-A-Bye Farm

Little ones may well envy the animals on Rockabye Farm--every night the farmer personally rocks each of them to sleep. First ``the Farmer rocks his baby. When the baby goes to sleep, the Farmer rocks his dog. When the dog is snoring loudly, the Farmer rocks his hen.'' No animal is too large or too small to receive a loving send-off into a night of slumber; even the cow and the horse are lulled to sleep with the help of a tractor and wagon. Hamm's simple, rhythmic text is perfectly accompanied by Brown's reassuring illustrations. Humorous touches include the initially drowsy farmer growing more alert with the exertion of putting his animals to sleep, until he, too, finally requires his own good-night rocking. This collaboration celebrates the affection and trust between caretakers and their charges; its contagious contentment will surely soothe youngsters. But parents of sleep-resistant children, beware: this farmer's rare standard of indulgence may be hard to live up to. Ages 2-6. (June)