WINTER LULLABY, by Dianne White and Ramona Kaulitzki, Candlewick, Dec. 7, 2021, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)

A restless cub wonders why he must go to bed in Winter Lullaby, written by Dianne White and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki.

Geese are calling, a chilly wind is blowing, and the sky is turning gray. Winter is on its way. For Mama Bear and Small Bear, that means it’s time to tuck into their den for a long sleep. But Mouse is scurrying by, and Chipmunk is still gathering nuts beside the lake. And look at Hare and Skunk, still romping through the leaves! Why can’t Small Bear stay up, too? To each question, Mama Bear responds with the coziest of answers, finally painting a dreamy picture of the brightening colors and new adventures that will greet Small Bear in the spring. But first comes sleep. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick

“But, why?”

It’s a phrase countless parents have heard time and time again as they try to settle their little ones down to sleep. In Winter Lullaby, Mama Bear patiently explains that everyone — even those that are busy playing — has to sleep. Human parents will appreciate parallels between this story and their own lives. And they’ll enjoy reading White’s gentle and rhythmic text aloud.

Kaulitzki’s expressive illustrations are full of warmth, bringing smiles with every page.

Winter Lullaby is a sweet bedtime story that kids will want to read over and over again.  The publisher’s suggested age range is 4-8, but I think it skews slightly younger, ages 3-6.

You can extend the Winter Lullaby fun by downloading the book’s Activity Kit, a fingerplay called “Here is a Cave” and a separate link to the “Shhh! I’m Hibernating” door hanger that is part of the Activity Kit.

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The reading part of that routine always includes three books — the Mommy book, the Daddy book and the family book. I read one book, my husband another, and then all three of us read one together. When our daughter was younger, the family book was more of the parents trading off, but as our daughter has grown, she’s taking a more active role.

Our nightly reads often follow a theme — all Dr. Seuss books, books about animals, books about colors, and recently, books about snow. The following three books have recently entered our nighttime routine.

FIRST SNOW, by Nancy Viau and Talitha Shipman, Albert Whitman & Company, Sept. 1, 2018, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-5)

First Snow is all about the excitement felt when experiencing the first snow of the season. The book follows a brother and sister as they join friends sledding, building igloos, drinking hot chocolate, and making the most of a windy, wintry day.

“Perky faces. Scrambling feet. Snowflakes falling! What a treat! Puffy Jackets. Scarves in place. Extra mittens, just in case.”

First Snow is our “family book.” Its short, rhythmic sentences are perfect for my beginning reader. While some words were familiar, other words like “scrambling” and “neighbors” stretched abilities, adding a challenge to a book I would otherwise say was too young for my almost-5-year-old daughter. First Snow is a great example of how you create an early reading book that’s not repetitive and features charming illustrations.

LITTLE OWL’S SNOW, by Divya Srinivasan, Viking Books for Young Readers, Dec. 4, 2018, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-5)

Little Owl’s Snow is the “Mommy book.” It’s a follow-up to Little Owl’s Night and Little Owl’s Day, and focuses on the changing of the seasons from autumn to winter.

Little Owl is excited for winter to come. He’s a little sad that some of his friends will sleep through the fun, but that doesn’t stop him from enjoying the crisp air, watching fish swim underneath ice or romp through the snow.

Little Owl is another book that I would say we’re starting to outgrow, except for the reading possibilities. It has more text and challenging words than First Snow, but the charmingly stylized illustrations skew a little younger. There are some great sensory words at play in Little Owl — honking, rustled, crackled, glinting — that elevate the reading experience.

GOOD MORNING, SNOWPLOW!, by Deborah Bruss and Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson, Arthur A. Levine Books, Oct. 30, 2018, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3 and up)

Good Morning, Snowplow! is our “Daddy book.” It follows a man, his dog and a snowplow as they get ready for a night’s work. While the rest of the city sleeps, the driver gets to work clearing all the roads.

The book’s rhythmic text — “Waves of white curl off the blade. In its wake a trail is laid. How’s the road? A little slick? Salt and sand mix does the trick.” — makes for an enjoyable out-loud read and helps little ones predict following text.

Illustrations created by using acrylic paint, colored pencil, pen and collage have a textured feel that at times reminds of Ezra Jack Keats’ Snowy Day.

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“THANK YOU, OCTOPUS,” by Darren Farrell, Dial, May 1, 2014, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-5)

There are many bedtime books available, but there aren’t any quite like Darren Farrell’s “Thank you, Octopus.”

Bedtime ahoy. It’s that time of night, and Octopus is happy to help his buddy get ready. First up is a warm bath (Thank you, Octopus) . . . of egg salad (No, thank you, Octopus). Putting on pjs, brushing teeth, reading books and checking under the bed for monsters all follow suit — each with Octopus’ own twist.

“Thank You, Octopus” has a rowdier feel than you might expect, but some giggly humor and a tender ending temper that rowdiness. I’d pick this one as a pre-bedtime read, perhaps before a bath. It sets the tone for nightly rituals.

If you’re looking for a gentle, lulling read, this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re looking for an imaginative tale with engaging illustrations that caters to your child’s sillier side, “Thank You, Octopus” might be a good fit.

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“THE PRINCESS WHO COULD NOT SLEEP,” by An Leysen, Clavis, Sept. 26, 2012, Hardcover, $15.95 (ages 3 and up)

There once was a stunningly beautiful princess who could not sleep. Never. Not even a nap. When the princess couldn’t sleep, no one else could either. It turns out the little lady had quite a set of lungs.

Night after night, the whole palace would remain awake, listening to the royal’s screams. No sleep meant no work was getting done. The kingdom was in a shambles.

The king finally told his ministers and councilors that he would grant any wish within his power to the person who could make the princess sleep for a night. But even with that motivation nothing, and I mean nothing — lullabies, warm milk, counting sheep — worked. If only there was a prince who knew what to do…

If ever there were a book that showed the consequences of not sleeping, it would be “The Princess Who Could Not Sleep.” Author An Leyson combines a fun story, whimsical artwork and elements of her own daughter’s drawings to create a tale young children will gobble up.

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“THE FAIRY TALES OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM,” by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Noel Daniel and Matthew R. Price, Taschen, Oct. 4, 2011, $39.99 (all ages)

Growing up, my family had certain traditions on holidays, and most of them involved giving books instead of candy. It turns out books last a lot longer and are more satisfying overall. As Valentine’s Day approaches, I’d like to suggest a book that will delight children and adults alike.

“The Fairy Tales of the Brother’s Grimm” compiled by Noel Daniel and translated by Mathew Rice and published by Taschen is a beautifully illustrated collection of the Grimm brothers’ most treasured works.

The book contains all-new translations of 27 fairy tales with vintage illustrations by the original artists of the various tales, dating from the 1820s to the 1950s. Silhouettes from original 1920s publications also accompany each tale, adding a cohesive feel to the volume.

An introduction by editor Noel Daniel, “More Than Words Can Say: The Grimms’ Enduring Legacy and the Art It Inspired,” discusses the history of fairy tales and their impact on culture. His thoughts are interesting, concise and well-organized, though children will most likely skip that section for the book’s real meat. Artist biographies and a translator’s note are great additions near the end of the volume, as is an easy-to-use index.

Once you have a copy of “The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm,” you won’t want to put it down. It’s great for bedtime stories — both short and long — or as a conversation piece on your coffee table. It’s a book to treasure and return to time and time again.

Below is a list of the included fairy tales with the names of their corresponding illustrators in parenthesis.

The Frog Prince (Walter Crane)
The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats (Heinrich Leutemann)
Little Brother and Little Sister (Fedor Flinzer)
Rapunzel (Otto Speckter)
Hansel and Gretel (Heinrich Merté)
The Fisherman and His Wife (Wanda Gág)
The Brave Little Tailor (Franz Wacik)
Cinderella (Hanns Anker)
Mother Holle (Herbert Leupin)
Little Red Riding Hood (Divica Landrová)
The Bremen Town Musicians (Rudolf Geifsler)
The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs (Gustaf Tenggren)
The Shoemaker and the Elves (George Cruikshank)
Tom Thumb’s Travels (Oswald Sickert)
Sleeping Beauty (Herbert Leupin)
Snow White (Wanda Zeigner-Ebel)
Rumpelstiltskin (Kay Nielsen)
The Three Feathers (Kay Nielsen)
The Golden Goose (L. Leslie Brooke)
Jorinda and Joringel (Arthur Rackham)
The Goose Girl (Jessie Willcox Smith)
The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Kay Nielsen)
The Star Coins (Viktor P. Mohn)
Snow White and Rose Red (Gustaf Tenggren)
The Hare and the Hedgehog (Gustav Süs)
Puss in Boots (Herbert Leupin)
The Golden Key

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“TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR,” by Jerry Pinkney, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Oct. 3, 2011, $16.99 (ages 3 and up)

Once again, Jerry Pinkney brings a new version of an old classic to young readers with his picture book “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

Based on the poem written by sisters Ann and Jane Taylor in 1806, Pinkney tells the tale of a chipmunk that leaves his nest to greet the twilight and ends up on an adventure of his own. Pinkney strays only slightly from the text, changing a few words for rhythm and the setting.

As with his other books, Pinkney’s illustrations in “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” are lush and detailed. Pinkney allowed himself to be swept up in the wonderment of these simple verses and it shows. This beautiful book will appeal to pre-readers and beginners alike. Interesting illustrations will keep children engaged throughout and set just the right stage for bedtime.

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“STARRY NIGHT, HOLD ME TIGHT,” by Jean Sagendorph and Kim Siebold, Running Press Kids, Oct. 11, 2011, $12.95 (ages 4 and up)

Baby Bear is growing up under the protective watch of his Momma. Her love is what helps Baby Bear become independent. She watches over him as he plays in the snow, sliding and making snow angels with his friends. Momma Bear teaches Baby Bear many lessons, including being a good friend by sharing. And at night, when mother and son are alone together, they look at the stars and say prayers and “sleep in heavenly peace.”

“Starry Night, Hold Me Tight” is a simple book — sparse text and muted, line illustrations that center on the same color family. It’s that simplicity that makes the book work so well. Anything else would be too busy, too distracting in nature. The illustrations are sweet in tone and the bears are adorable figures on their own. And the accompanying verse has a calming effect, making this a perfect bedtime story for the winter months.

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“MOO, MOO, BROWN COW, HAVE YOU ANY MILK?” by Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Giselle Potter, Random House Books for Young Readers, June 28, 2011, $16.99 (ages 2 and up)

With the familiar “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” nursery rhyme used as a jumping point, “Moo, Moo, Brown Cow, Have You Any Milk?” combines clever rhymes with comforting rhythms to introduce younger children to the many contributions made by farm animals to everyday life.  Written in two parts, this picture book explores the connection between animals and a young boy before sending the main character – and possibly the listener – off to a dreamy good night’s sleep.

For children who enjoy repetition and patterns in picture books, “Moo, Moo, Brown Cow, Have You Any Milk?” provides an excellent occasion for learning to tell the story on their own. Bright and warm images throughout the book provide clear opportunities along the way for younger children to identify animals and point out the animal’s different jobs. Older children will enjoy the chance to learn more about already familiar animals, as well as the personable characteristics the animals take on in the illustrations.

“Moo, Moo, Brown Cow, Have You Any Milk?” is an enjoyable story to add to the nightly routine of bedtime, as well as an exciting offering for children who love to hear about animals.

***This guest review is by Jamie Wood, a mother of three who enjoys brainwashing her children to read as many books as they can in one day. She does this by sitting on the couch and telling them she can’t talk now because she’s reading a book. So far all has gone well, and they are happily enjoying reading time together.

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“I WILL NOT READ THIS BOOK,” by Cece Meng, illustrated by Joy Ang, Clarion Books, Sept. 6, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8)

You can’t make me read this book! In this case me is a little boy who has a lot more excuses to not read a book before bedtime than anyone could possibly have to read a book before bedtime.

The boy has to floss his teeth, wash behind his ear, feed his fish, sip some water, scratch the tip of his nose, clean under his bed… You know what? He’s changed his mind. He’s not going to read the book after all. Reading is hard and he doesn’t read fast and some of the words are unfamiliar.

The boy will not read this book even if you hang him upside down by one toe over a cliff while tickling his feet. Even if you add in a rainstorm and lightning and sharks below, he won’t read it. If a dragon comes and blows smoke in his eyeballs, he still won’t read it. No. Not. Ever.

However, if you drop him, he might be persuaded to change his mind… but you’d better be prepared to catch him.

“I Will Not Read This Book” is pitch perfect for anyone who has ever dealt with a reluctant child. Much of the reluctance comes from doing things on their own, and as we see in this book, once someone the boy loves has someone to read with him, the reluctance goes away.

Author Cece Meng’s text is perfect. And as the boy’s threats grow stronger, the tone is just right. Illustrator Joy Ang’s images pair perfectly with Meng’s words, building with each line and adding humor throughout.

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“CHARLOTTE JANE BATTLES BEDTIME,” by Myra Wolfe, illustrated by Maria Monescillo, Harcourt, Sept. 6, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8)

Charlotte Jane the Hearty has lost her formidable oomph. No one knows where it has gone.

Charlotte Jane has had oomph from the day she came howling into the world with the sunrise. Her first words came early, she relished swashbuckling lessons and treasure hunts and Fantastic Feats of Daring.

The only thing Charlotte Jane has never felt was oomphworthy is bedtime. She began going to bed later and later and later, until one night, she didn’t go to bed at all.

Now Charlotte Jane’s oomph is gone. Nothing, not breakfast or swashbuckling or treasure hunting will bring it back. An extensive search proves it’s not in the closet or bathtub or fridge. Charlotte’s parents have looked in the garden and the neighbor’s recycling bin, and it’s nowhere to be found. Except … what if, maybe … well what if it could be found in Charlotte’s feather bed? Rip-roaring dreams may just be the solution Charlotte Jane has been looking for.

“Charlotte Jane Battles Bedtime” is an action-packed bedtime story that will take young readers on an adventure to dreamland.

Whimsical watercolor illustrations bring Charlotte Jane to life and bring a touch of humor — her stuffed bear with an eye patch, her ship-shaped house and wooden sword — to this swashbuckling drama. And the broad expanse of her dreams is fully textured and imagined, three full-page spreads with just eight words between them.

Author Myra Wolf’s bold text is well paced and laced with just the right amount of pirate vocabulary. It’s not hard to picture Charlotte Jane’s adventures being acted out in homes around the world.

“Charlotte Jane Battles Bedtime” is a great alternative to the more sedate offerings in the bedtime story genre.

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