A colorful goodnight poem to a "bayou gal." Includes a glossary with Cajun pronunciation. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Like the easy, winding bayou, slow Cajun rhythms swing through this night song: "Rockabye you bayou gal,/ Cattails be a-swishin'/ Softly sigh, oh bayou gal,/ On a star be wishin'." Appelt weaves regional details with universal images that summon up the floating, swaying sensations of sleep: a "pirogue" (boat) gently bobbing "atop the water chocolat"; a bullfrog's voice stretching in crescendo ("King Armand be whistlin'/ To crawdads 'neath the waves"), then quieting toward dawn; water wending toward the sea through the dark tangled roots of cypress trees. Distinctive speech rhythms and rhymes rest lightly on the ear; nouveau Cajun devotées will find a helpful glossary of six important words (the term ``Cajun,'' however, receives no definition). Waldman's art (The Tyger; Light) seems more playful and more dynamic here than previously. Against the black of night, his stylized acrylic paintings extend their blue palette toward violet and green. An inspired pairing of author and artist. Ages 2-up. (Mar.) From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

PreS-Up‘Appelt has written a rhythmic, soothing lullaby for a little girl who lives in a house by the banks of the bayou: ``Rockabye, you bayou gal,/Cattails be a-swishin'/Softly sigh, oh bayou gal,/On a star be wishin'.'' The verse is evocative and lovely, but the true merit of the book lies in Waldman's double-page acrylic paintings. Each scene is a self-contained work of art and a visual feast. He has set the swamp's luminous flora and fauna against a velvety black background, and richly fluorescent shades of greens, purples, blues, and teals decorate the pages. A stunning picture book.‘Judy Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Ages 3-6. While there are many lyrical bedtime books, this one has the advantage of being infused with a lilting yet accessible Cajun rhythm. The reassuring verse is recited to a young bayou girl whose marshy, nocturnal world is ruled over by Arnaud, king of bullfrogs. With a menagerie of royal subjects that include "buzzin mosquitos," "snoozing crawdads," and "harmonizin crickets," this has a bit more oomph than many tranquil read-alouds. Set against glossy ebony backdrops, the stylized double-page compositions are awash with vibrant shades of blue, purple, and green. A prefatory note includes pronunciation and definitions for six Creole phrases. (Reviewed Mar. 15, 1995)0688128564Julie Corsaro From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.