I'm Not Tired Yet!

Ralphie Mix isn't ready for bed, and he knows how to pull out all the stops. Richmond's (I Believe in You) sometimes uneven verse describes Ralphie's bedtime procrastination, which includes telling his mother that there's a bug scuttling across floor, claiming there's a monster hiding in the closet, and asking for a glass of milk. His understanding mother addresses each concern with a playful allusion to a particular animal, followed by a loving embrace. Smudgy, earth-toned canvas paintings depict mother and son as goldfish, cuddling polar bears, and caterpillars (" %E2%80%98Scared and achy?' said his mom./ %E2%80%98You're being mighty fickle./ Could it be that what you need/ is a caterpillar tickle?' ") in intervening spreads. Kids may admire Ralphie's tenacity when he pulls a final trick from up his sleeve%E2%80%94joking that he's gotten in big trouble at school (at this point, Ralphie's doting mother seems on the verge of a meltdown)%E2%80%94before finally falling asleep. The repetition and multiple hugs and kisses lend a soothing quality, though there's little doubt that young readers will walk away with a new arsenal of delay tactics. Ages 4%E2%80%93up. (Mar.)