A Lullaby for Endangered Babies

Where the Wee Ones Go: A Bedtime Wish for Endangered Animals  

by Karen Jameson; illus. by Zosienka 

36 pages; ages 3-5

‎Chronicle Books, 2022

theme: animals, sleep, conservation

When the stars are out and the moon’s above, 

where do the wee ones go, my love?

Where do the wee ones go?

The sweet lullaby that is this book takes children around the world to see how baby animals go to bed. An orangutan baby snuggles on its mama’s chest, a koala cozies up in mother’s pouch, and a condor chick is safely wedged on a rocky ledge. From rainforest caves to savannah plains to rocky cliffs high above the ocean, each baby animal has a warm, safe place to fall asleep.

What I like about this book: The text is so lyrical it is like reading a lullaby. These gentle rhymes will rock even the most reluctant youngster to sleep. Whether it’s an otter mom and babe drifting hand-in-hand upon the ocean swells or baby hippos draped across their mothers’ backs, the gentle rhythm and rhyme will sooth the savage beast. 

The illustrations are filled with soft colors and soft edges. Images add details about the habitats, such as strands of leafy seaweeds wrapped around the otters. 

This is a perfect book for Earth Day – or any day – as it spotlights the bedtime rituals of some of the most endangered animals on our planet. While there is a brief author’s note on the copyright page, I was left wishing for back matter. 

Karen was kind enough to answer One Question:

me: Can you talk about how you chose which endangered animals to feature in the book? 

Karen: My research started with a world map of endangered animals from the San Diego Zoo website.  I wanted to represent a variety of animal classifications - mammals, birds, reptiles, etc. - from around the globe.  Geography and habitats were purposefully woven into the stanzas to give a true sense of the animals' homes in the wild. Of course, being a bedtime book for young children, the animals' diverse sleep habits were key, as well. From otters wrapping their babies in kelp, to condors perched high on rocky ledges, and polar bears in dens of snow, each animal has its own unique way of sleeping.

Beyond the Books:

How do the animals living around you go to sleep? Maybe you have pets… or there are squirrels and birds that live in your backyard or neighborhood. What sorts of nests and beds to they make?

What is your going-to-sleep ritual? And what sort of warm and safe nest do you go to sleep in?

Karen is a member of #STEAMTeam2022. You can find out more about her at her website.

Today we're joining Perfect Picture Book Friday, an event where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review copy provided by the publisher.