In the Night Garden (by Barbara Joosse)

It's nice to see girl-characters with rich imaginations pretending to be more than princesses or soft kittens. These girls romp as powerful creatures -- baring sharp white teeth, pulling sleds and literally making waves. "The bear growls a warning. The whale dives deep. The dog sniffs the air." There's no simpering here! Both boys and girls will appreciate the girls' big imaginations.

This is a simple story with little text but it's a book to which every kid can relate, especially those preschoolers who spend their days being dogs, firefighters, and other favorite heroes. The deep, swirling pictures effectively convey the girls' dream world and help captivate readers to bring them into the story. The dark-purple colors on each page convey the seriousness of the kids' imaginings. The book ends cozily with familiar bedtime routines and a picture of the three little girls tucked into bed by loving but unseen adults, making it a comforting read for even the biggest dreamers. Sure to be a bedtime favorite.