Pillowland

Children’s musician Berkner (We Are the Dinosaurs) brings another of her popular songs to the page, this time serving up a cozy lullaby adventure. The book opens in a lamp-lit bedroom where a girl describes Pillowland to two other children: “All the houses, the buildings/ and the trees/ are made of fluffy pillows that/ are as soft as they can be.” Soon, the children are sailing out the window on the trail of a shooting star, crossing an ocean of feathers to meet Pillowland’s king and queen—who bear more than a passing resemblance to the interracial couple that checks in on the kids in the final scene, back in the bedroom. Garoche (The Snow Rabbit) portrays the children’s whimsical journey in diorama-style scenes featuring cut-paper characters, objects, and buildings; the technique gives the children the look of paper dolls, and fabric elements bring the softness the fantasy setting demands. Sheet music appears on the back cover for families looking to making readings a musical affair. Ages 4–8. [em]Author’s agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency. (Nov.) [/em]