Sleepy-o! - Hardcover

Harriet Ziefert draws on a true story told to her by Santiago Cohen for the text of this Christmas tale. This is her first picture book collaboration with him, though they know each other from their many years in neighboring New Jersey towns.

PreSchool-K?In this picture-book version of the folk song "What'll I Do with the Baby-O?" harassed family members come up with a variety of ways to deal with the wailing, sleepless infant including "Rock her soft, rock her hard" and "Ship her off to Grandma's house." Nothing works until sister says, "Shush! Baby will sleep if you all hush." The family is silenced and the little one nods off. Traditional folk songs often take license with meter and rhyme, making the lyrics easier to sing than to read and this is true of Ziefert's verses, which, although they basically keep the beat of the song, are sometimes a little awkward in the reading. The cartoon-style watercolor illustrations of the spike-haired baby in a pink nightie and her family in old-fashioned clothes fit the homey spirit of the song. The layout is clear, with a large cream-colored border around each picture. The illustrations range from just the baby and a family member to active two-page spreads as all play instruments or dance the infant around to induce sleep. In all, this is a pleasant rendition of a familiar song.?Karen James, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
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