cover image Good Night, Lewis-Pkg

Good Night, Lewis-Pkg

Harriet Ziefert. Random House Books for Young Readers, $4.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-394-88139-3

In this book and night light package, Lewis the lion cub delays going to bed by drawing pictures (a tube of toothpaste is his pen), feeding his fish and listing another hour's worth of activities to his mother, who's ready to read him a story and tuck him in. But when he runs out of excuses, and Mama turns off the light, Lewis is left alone to face the menacing shadows in his darkened room. A roar of ""Mama!'' brings her back, and Lewis confesses his fear of the dark. Mama finds a night light stashed in the attic and plugs it in; Lewis, in the light's friendly glow, falls asleep with a smile on his face. The book's accompanying night light bears a picture of Lewis; if the light doesn't win over the reader, the story willthe pictures show a small child's world to perfection. It's a clever package, one that relies not on gimmickry but on reassurance. (26)