Read, Read, Read, said the Baby: Jungle Night by Sandra Boynton

 Sandra Boynton returns with another delightful board book, this time with a bedtime/jungle theme. Parts of the story originally appeared in her book Snoozers in 1997, but it's got a fresh look and a whole new sound.

Opening on a midnight blue page with a rising yellow moon and a sprinkling of trees, the next page starts a parade of familiar animals all fast asleep with their own unique sound. A crocodile goes "Snorkle-ooo" while a couple signature Boynton pigs, called red river-hogs, snore "whee-grunt." But the peaceful scenes are shattered with one loud SNORE from the elephant, sending a mouse flying and waking up all the animals!

Boynton's familiar animals are set in a, unusual for her, slightly detailed background of dark shades and simple vines. A black panther lounges on a tree trunk, monkeys hang in a row, and a crocodile snoozes in a strip of grass. It's still Boynton's style, but with a little added to the landscape to denote the jungle setting.

Readers with access to media can view a video of the book being read by Keith Boynton with a soundtrack featuring Yo-Yo Ma, which features a cool jazz feel, followed by a Satie piece as a soothing lullaby with an animated trio of music-playing animals.

Verdict: Libraries with limited budgets and space for board books will probably want to stick with Boynton's classic works, regularly updated, but those with can add more will want to pick this up for Boynton fans and parents looking for cozy bedtime stories with an added fillip of humor.

ISBN: 9781523513604; Published March 2021 by Workman; Review copy provided by publisher; Purchased for the library