Another Look at Bedtime Books: Winter Lullaby

In this previous HOUSE CALLS post, we looked at the elements of bedtime books that make them conducive to children's writers who enjoy writing in rhyme: soothing language, soft cadence, a canvas ripe for poetic devices such as alliteration and assonance. 

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​WINTER LULLABY, by Dianne White, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford, is a wonderful mentor text for writers wishing to explore the bedtime book genre. In this cozy book, all the forest animals are busy preparing for winter. Little Bear wants to stay active too. With each page turn, Mama Bear gently coaxes Little Bear into a long winter's nap. Snuggle in, and let's take a look what makes WINTER LULLABY such a beautiful bedtime book. ​

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To begin, Dianne White creates a soft, easy-to-read rhythm right from the first stanza. 

​COOL winds/ BLOW through/ GRAYing/ SKIES.
GEESE are/ HONKing/ LONG good/ BYES.
AU tumn/ CLOUDS sweep/ OVer/ HEAD. 
Let's GO,/ Small BEAR./ It's TIME/ for BED.
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The meter, comprised of a combination of trochaic ((STRESSED unstressed) and iambic (unstressed STRESSED) feet, is "spot on" in the opening stanza and consistent throughout the story. This smooth, melodic cadence is perfect for a book meant to calm readers as they get ready to sleep. 

Dianne White further nurtures the calm tone in WINTER LULLABY by using soothing bedtime words and soft sounds throughout. 

​In just a while, deep underground, 
Skunk will slumber, safe and sound. 

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On this page the words deep, slumber, and safe invoke a comfy scene. This reinforced through alliteration (skunk, slumber, safe, sound) and assonance (just, underground, skunk" slumber.) ​

What makes WINTER LULLABY most successful is its layers. There are MANY bedtime books on the market. In order for a book to stand out, it needs to be about more than just settling in for bed. Dianne White accomplishes this by folding different themes over her bedtime base. Yes, it's a book about getting ready for sleep. But it's also a conversation between mother and child. It's a peek into the lives of forest animals. It's a study in opposites: busy, wakeful activities vs. quiet, sleepy activities.

All of these layers make WINTER LULLABY a cozy picture book to encourage a long winter's nap AND a great mentor text to inspire some writing when you wake up! 

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-RHYME DOCTOR Michelle Schaub