Pillowland

PreS-Gr 2—A creative picture book interpretation of Berkner's "Pillowland" song that follows three small children on a fantastic bedtime adventure. Three children, one Black, the others pale skinned, are snuggled together in a pillow fort with their stuffed animals and cat. As their imaginations take flight, they ride a pillow train, drive a pillow car, and then travel to Pillowland! They meet the king and queen, eat pillow bread and pillow jam, and end with a pillow fight. The final page returns to the original bedroom setting with all three children peacefully asleep with parents looking in from the doorway. The simple yet magical text with the detailed and comforting illustrations make this a phenomenal bedtime book or even an enjoyable read-aloud choice for a more sedate storytime. The chorus of the song incorporates some excellent sound effects ("fly a magic pillow plane, zoom zoom!"), and Garoche's mixed-media illustrations incorporate cut paper, cloth, and light in intricate and magical assemblies. The lighting is especially marvelous with a few spreads featuring a soft warm glow that seems to come from within the paper creations.