This soothing picture book--sure to become a nighttime ritual--upholds Mem Fox's (Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes) proven track record as a master of rhymes for early childhood.
"I could eat your little ears," says an elephant snuggling a baby elephant close. "I could nibble on your nose," the adult continues, about to kiss the little one's trunk. The intimate exchange continues through the house, up the stairs and into the nursery. Emma Quay (the Bear and Chook series) introduces collage elements that add texture to the wallpaper, chairs, books on the shelves and toys in the toy box. Readers can see the baby elephant's reflection in window as the youngster pulls down the shade: "I could gaze at you all night," says the caregiver. "I could whisper lots of stories till the darkness turns to light." Although Fox's narrator is an adult, the rhymes are completely child-centered, and inspire cuddling, stories and settling in to sleep. "I could sit you on my knee," appears alongside the baby leaning in to read a book, "I could sing you all the songs that my mother sang to me."
Fox's simple rhyme and Quay's soft pencil outlines and twilight palette attest to a complex understanding of what children at this age need in order to settle down: reassurance that their loved ones are near, consistency and cuddling. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness