Review: Baby, Sleepy Baby by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank

'Baby, sleepy baby, I'll sing down the stars till they dance right into your room'

Ideal for winding down at bedtime, this calming and comforting lullaby, in picture book form, is the latest offering from award-winning duo, author Atinuke and illustrator Angela Brooksbank, whose popular works include Baby Goes to Market (2019) and Catch That Chicken (2021). 

It's formatted in a lovely large size with an easy-to-read chunky font that's great for snuggly read alouds with little ones, who will also delight in seeing another baby's face so close-up and clearly depicted. 

The soothing and rich non-rhyming text, with gentle repetition, was inspired by a Nigerian lullaby sung to Atinuke by her father when she was a child. And although it's not quite clear who's singing to the baby this time — Mum, Dad, Gran, sister or, perhaps, all of four — what we do know is that this baby is enveloped by love — safe and secure. 

Brooksbank's exquisite, full-page, warm and textured multi-media illustrations invite readers into this interracial family's private yet familiar moments at home, each dreamy page spread portraying a recognisable scene from Baby's everyday nighttime routine. The whole family take turns in making Baby's bedtime a magical experience: blowing and catching bubbles, having squidgy cuddles or simply gazing quietly at the memorising full moon.

Every detail in the illustrations is thoughtfully considered and well-executed. For example, the background colour palette cleverly changes gradually to indicate the passing of time. Early sunset ice-cream vanillas, apricots and lilacs turn into the deep inky blues, silvery greys and blacks of the nighttime sky, all set off by gorgeous contrasting day-and-night endpapers. 

A joy to behold, this tenderly crafted and lyrical picture book celebrates the specialness of family time and the awe and wonder to be found within shared moments with our sleepy tots. 

Baby, Sleepy Baby by Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank is available now, in hardback, at Bookshop.

Thanks to Walker Books for sending me a review copy. 

Check out my Black Children's Books directory for suggested suitability of all the books I review.  All the books that I read are also checked against my Jericho Benchmark.