Sleepytime Rhyme

by Remy Charlip

Affectionately illustrated, a lyrical, comforting picture book shows a mother and baby playing in the nursery, and the beguiling backdrops feature the clouds, the stars, the moon, and more mirroring their unconditional devotion.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 26, 1999

About the author

Abraham 'Remy' Charlip (born January 10, 1929) was an American artist, writer, choreographer, theatre director, designer, and teacher.

He studied art at Straubenmuller Textile High School in Manhattan and fine arts at Cooper Union in New York, graduating in 1949.

In the 1960s, Charlip created a unique form of choreography, which he called "air mail dances". He sent a set of drawings to a dance company, and the dancers ordered the positions and created transitions and context.

He performed with John Cage, was a founding member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for which he also designed sets and costumes, directed plays for the Judson Poet's Theater, co-founded the Paper Bag Players, and served as head of the Children's Theater and Literature Department at Sarah Lawrence College.

He won two Village Voice Obie Awards, three New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year citations, and was awarded a six-month residency in Kyoto from the Japan/U.S. Commission on the Arts. He wrote and/or illustrated more than 30 children's books and passed away in San Francisco, California, on August 14, 2012.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I wasn't sure how much I would like the illustrations but as soon as I began reading them along with the gentle, loving prose, I was charmed. It's delightful how Charlip matches the parents' loving embrace with the child to what is going on outside the window (a smiling big tree and little tree, a smiling big house and a little house, etc.) The poetry flows beautifully and this is just a very endearing little bed-time book about parental love.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this author/illustrator’s book Fortunately because it has great illustrations and is very, very funny. So, when I saw this book at the library on the featured shelf, I grabbed it.

This one has no humor at all, unfortunately, and it’s a bit too sappy for me, but I have to admit it is a lovely rhyme that communicates the prime importance of the child to the parent, and I really did enjoy the colorful illustrations. This would make a good bedtime story for ages birth through (I’m not sure but maybe) 4 or 5 or 6.

[Gwen Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story, basic story - would be great for parents. Simple but colorful and bold pictures.

[Gabriel Infierno · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so sweet, it's amazing.

[Joanna and Luka Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustrations, global village coffeehouse vibes. Very cozy to read, a perfect bedtime story!

[Dana Comer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did like the book to read to a child before bed, but not necessarily in my classroom for my age group. If I were to become a preschool teacher then this could be used right before nap time but I do not think this should be one to read at any other grade level. It is a good book, depends on grade level.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary loves this book! She just wants to read it over and over and over again. The illustrations are beautiful yet simple and the rhymes are great: all about how much we love her, but also including things like body parts, opposites, etc.

[Huda Fel · Rating 5 out of 5]

full of love and soft feelings, loved it

[571 · Rating 3 out of 5]

PreS-K?
sentimental rhyme about all the features a mother loves about her child- could be used to learn parts of the body.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too sweet for me, but a nice rhyme and gorgeous, calming illustrations.

[Michelle Brandstetter]

EL Skills - Print motivation, print awareness. Activities - Read [& sleep].

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nighttime rhyme for babies.

[Miss Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Great Baby Time book.