cover image Sleep Tight: 9

Sleep Tight: 9

B. G. Hennessy, Anthony Carnabuci. Viking Children's Books, $14 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-670-83567-6

Hennessy's ( Eeney Meeney Miney Mo ; Jake Baked the Cake ) pleasant bedtime book starts out promisingly in lilting free verse (``Night time / Quiet time / Read our favorite book time''), but wilts a bit when it takes the reader on a tour of rather well-worn nocturnal territory: ``Birds are sleeping in the trees / Clouds are sleeping on a breeze / Trains are sleeping on the tracks / Bugs are sleeping in the cracks.'' The nighttime world of first-time illustrator Carnabuci evinces both the muted softness and the shimmering colors of Renaissance tempera paintings. His depictions of the high-cheekboned family suggest the work of the contemporary artist George Tooker; he goes on to include pets, countryside and favorite toys. The book breaks no new ground, but sleepy youngsters may well succumb to its blandishments. Ages 2-6. (Aug.)