Karen Cioffi - Day's End Lullaby - Synopsis and Book Review

Day’s End Lullaby is a tender and charming illustrated children’s book. From a reminder that the sun has set and all beloved toys are awaiting tomorrow’s play, Day’s End Lullaby soothes and quiets even those children who struggle against sleep. The authors’ artistry is found in their understanding of the sense of security needed by children at bedtime.

“Your day’s been long and full of fun. But, now you’re much too tired to run,” sings the parent to the child in the lullaby. Day’s End Lullaby has rhyming phrases along with a rhythmic flow.

Author Cioffi composed the poem and music over 30 years ago to help her first born fall asleep and then used it again for her second child. She saw positive results in singing it and now sings it to her two young grandsons. She reassures them, “The sun has set, it’s out of view. The moon’s now shining bright for you.”

Authors Cioffi and Feltman wrote and illustrated Day’s End Lullaby as a loving book to comfort little ones and provide a sense of security at bedtime. The simple and colorful illustrations are intended to hold the child’s attention while the parent’s soothing voice helps the child gently drift off into a peaceful slumber.

BOOK REVIEW

STORIES FOR CHILDREN MAGAZINE

BOOK: Day's End Lullaby

AUTHORS: Karen Cioffi and Robyn Feltman

ILLUSTRATOR: Karen Cioffi

PUBLISHER: Book Surge (2008)

ISBN-13: 9781419691577

ISBN-10: 1-4196-9157-0

READING LEVEL: Infancy to age 4

RATING: 5 stars

REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker

A child has his favorite teddy bear. The sun has set. The moon is out. The day is over. The child is tired. Now it is time for him to close his eyes and go to sleep. This lovely little book, with its lilting, lyrical poetry and its soothing message, is intended for just such a time. One of the best things that parents may do for their children is to read aloud to them. It can be both fun and educational. Our family has tried to have two read aloud periods each day. One is after lunch, when we have generally chosen historical fiction, and the other is right before bed, when we have used other books which relate to our children's interests.

Reading aloud before bedtime serves several purposes. First, it is an opportunity for personal interaction between parent and child. Second, it is helpful in getting settled down for children who have been playing for a while to have a period of transition between the activities of the day and the need to rest at night. This picture book is perfect for that purpose. It has the additional benefit that the text has been set to music, and the lullaby is included. Author Karen Cioffi says that she wrote the lullaby to the story over 30 years ago for her firstborn who didn't like sleeping. This is one of those books that wee ones will probably want read over and over to them.

Related websites: www.childrensbooksbykarenandrobyn.com (book), http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com (author), www.booksurge.com (publisher)