Asleep, Asleep

From School Library Journal PreSchool-- A lovely picture-book lullaby. Various wild creatures slumber in a luminous blue night. A mother stands by the window, quiets her baby by telling her about the sleeping animals, and says, ``Everything and everyone,/Asleep, asleep./ Only you and the wind/Are awake.'' The brief, rhythmic text is simple and repetitive, with just enough variation to avoid monotony. The watercolor pictures, bordered with simple bands of quiet color, illuminate the words beautifully. All of the visual elements (composition, color, light, texture) combine to make up a soothing whole. Tafuri's night is dark, but full of subdued light and peacefulness. Her animals and people have an especially cozy look--she even makes sleeping bees look restful. An elegant and graceful book that both children and parents will enjoy as part of a bedtime ritual. --Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, ILCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Kirkus Reviews ``Inspired by a verse of A. Vvedensky,'' a lovely litany of queries and subtly modulated responses: ``Are the wolves asleep? Asleep...And the birds? Asleep, asleep...And the children? All asleep...Only you and the wind are awake. And the wind sings, `Sleep, sleep. You too, you too....' '' Tafuri visualizes the drowsing world in luscious muted tones defined in crisp pen lines varied with gently feathered edges. Quintessentially simple and altogether beguiling: a perfect choice for tuck-in time. (Picture book. 1-6) --