cover image MORNING SONG

MORNING SONG

Mary McKenna Siddals, , illus. by Elizabeth Sayles. . Holt, $15.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-8050-6369-1

Siddals and Sayles (previously teamed for Millions of Snowflakes) again join forces for a winning evocation of a boy's awakening. In the beginning, Sayles casts the child in morning's dewy blue light. "Good morning, blankie./ Good morning, bear./ Good morning, bunny/ I see you there," he chants. As Siddals's rhythmic, gently rhyming salutatory roll call continues, the illustrations grow brighter: a toy crown glows golden; the boy's hair lightens to red as he shares a book with his baby doll. Finally, Daddy's at the door. "Good morning!" accompanies the final illustration of father and son in a fully lit, tender embrace. Ages 2-5. (Nov.)