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Picture Book Spotlight: Good Night, Sweet Baby

Good Night, Sweet Baby

Good Night, Sweet Baby by Nate Henry and Marta Magnetti Codrai
Published: 2017
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A father and his very young daughter spend a day together while Mom goes shopping. They play, nap, and snack until it’s time to clean up.

There’s an Amazon Echo commercial out that describes a similar series of events, but this book predates that commercial and this version is much more fun to look at. There are a lot of women on social media these days who denounce the term “babysitting” in the context of a father watching his own children, reflecting the modern viewpoint that both parents have equal responsibilities. I agree, so this is not a babysitting story. It’s about time set aside for bonding between father and child.

The last book I reviewed by illustrator Marta Magnetti Codrai was The Little Star Fisher, a lush, masterful fairy tale that impressed on every page. Good Night, Sweet Baby is a year older and grounded in a real-world setting. There are a lot more empty spaces and less opportunity to go wild here, but several pages, particularly the little girl’s room, are stunning.

The story reminded me of a commercial because there’s no real conflict. While there’s some concern that the mother might come home and object to the mess, the father and daughter put everything back in order well before she arrives. Good Night, Sweet Baby is a peaceful, uplifting family story with lovely illustrations that pop with color, and that’s all it needs to be.