Good Night, Little Bookstore

“Good night, little bookstore.// Time to close! // Good night, picture books,// face-out in rows.” With engaging simplicity, the creators combine the intimate world of an independent bookstore with the rhythmic verse of a bedtime read. As the shop, called Little Bookstore, shuts up for the night, Goodale’s (Also) mixed-media artwork portrays people of varying body types and skin tones making last purchases, interacting with leashed dogs and the bookstore cat, and closing up shop. Restrained images both evoke the sensibility of and hint at picture books past, employing warm, layered textures, sure black lines, and saturated colors. One spread captures the moment when a bookseller turns off the lights; on the left, human and room are lit; on the right, the room goes dark, illuminated only by a streetlight beam. Even the stuffed-to-bursting recycling bags are drawn with care. At last, Cherrix (Animal Architects) bids good night to all the world’s bookstores, each imagined with a sign in a different language, in an inclusive volume that celebrates the bookstore as a cozy, comfortable—and crucial—corner of community. Ages 2–5. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary. (Sept.)