Good Night, Zodiac Animals

On a dark moonless night, the 12 animals of the zodiac prepare for sleep in Lin’s cozy bedtime board book introduction to the Lunar New Year cycle. Following the traditional order, the mouse is first to tuck in. Next, “an ox in knitted mittens/ falls asleep with toasty feet.// The striped and mighty tiger/ snores softly, gently, sweet.” The spreads, which show each animal labeled with their Chinese character, limn the figures via simple facial expressions and varied landscapes, while lilting, rhyming prose conveys their bedtime rituals (sheep “whisper stories, soft and serene”). After the last two animals snuggle up, the view widens to show a light-brown-skinned child resting contentedly in a room filled with the animals, who “safeguard dreams/ while we’re asleep.” Back matter offers context. Ages up to 3. (Dec.)