Sugar Pie Lullaby: The Soul of Motown in a Song of Love

Stringing song titles together throughout this allusive picture book, Boston Weatherford creates a poem that pays tribute to Motown. Music by Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and others rhythmically moves the book forward, while Cloud’s soft-edged digital illustrations depict doting Black-cued caregivers and their multi-age charges in an array of domestic spaces and actions that map loosely to a typical nighttime routine. Figures dance to a record (“Baby love, little bitty precious one”); a play space sees some tummy time (“I was born to love you”); and a bubble-filled bathtub (“Shoo-bee-do-bee-do-bee-do-dah-day”) leads to a series of cozy bedroom scenes of final snuggles and co-sleeping. Scattered throughout, stars, hearts, and music notes amplify the text’s lyrical and loving message. An author’s note and list of the featured songs conclude. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)