Yellow Moon, Apple Moon.

Linda Ludke is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

A yawning, pajama-clad child gets ready for bed. In soothing verse, she names her familiar surroundings: “Here’s my house, my swing, my tree. Here’s my window, my bed and me.” With the moon high in the “starry night,” the little girl’s mother lulls her to sleep with the New Mexican lullaby “At the Gate of Heaven.” Sheet music and lyrics in both English and Spanish are included at the end.

Matt James’s acrylic and India ink illustrations have a dreamlike quality. The trees and animals have personified smiling faces and watch over the child. As she drifts off to sleep, broad brush strokes show swirling clouds and winged “barefooted angels.” The sky changes from creamy yellow to deep navy blue hues.

This is a poetic choice for a bedtime tale. Recommended.