American author Karen Jameson and French illustrator Marc Boutavant joint forces in this lovely bedtime book featuring the creatures of the forest. As a young girl and her dog walk through the evening woods, the narrative calls a variety of creatures, from bears to turtles, back to their home, and to the nighttime rest. The book concludes as girl and dog also head for home and bed...

Although I do read many, many picture-books, I was not familiar with either Jameson or Boutavant's work, when I happened across Woodland Dreams at my public library recently, and being much struck by the beautiful cover art, picked it up on a whim. I'm so glad I did, as I found it absolutely charming! The rhyming text reads well, and is both descriptive and lulling, while the artwork is just lovely. My favorite scene, from both a narrative and visual standpoint, was the one devoted to the fox: "Come home, Swift Legs. / Furry schemer / Red-tailed dreamer / Night wind's blowing. Trot this way. / Mountain den's your hideaway." Recommended to young animal lovers, and to picture-book readers looking for delightful new bedtime books. ( )