Dahl creates an amusing account of one boy's heroic efforts to get ready for bed in this nighttime tale. Clever and visually exciting, the story's illustrative panels juxtapose the boy's preparations for bed with Batman's nightly crusades. As the sun sets, the boy and Bruce Wayne individually get ready for "a great adventure" by donning their capes. After racing through the shadowy hallway, the boy cleans up in the bathtub, locks his toys away, helps his goldfish (to some dinner), and climbs the ladder to his top bunk, where he can watch over the bedroom toys st as Batman cleans up the city, locks up troublemakers, helps innocent people, and climbs a skyscraper tower to guard the city. Readers, especially older ones, will instantly recognize the brooding cityscape of Gotham, the sleek lines of the Batmobile, and the dark geometry of the caped superhero, all depicted by comic-book artist Beavers. The story ends with a fitting "Good Night, Dark Knight" that will send readers the signal that it is time to sleep.

Holy bedtime, Batman!In a sleepy-looking neighborhood under a dusky cerulean sky, a young, brown-haired, white boy goes through the motions of getting ready for bed: he brushes his teeth, takes a bath, picks up his toys, and feeds his fish. In a parallel visual narrative, beckoned by the cat's-eye-yellow bat-signal, Batman keeps Gotham safe for another night by catching crooks, locking them away, and avenging those who have been wronged. Though the two characters are quite different, through a carefully flexible narrative, Dahl and Beavers weave a convincing tale of just how similar they might be. "It's time to take care of business" describes the child's trip to the potty and Batman's dive down a manhole equally well, for instance. Beavers' art is visually striking and vibrantly hued, perfect for keeping young eyes glued to each page. Dahl's economical text is cadenced with a gentle lilt, just right for a bedtime read-aloud. Young fans of the caped crusader will delight in spying their favorite characters. In the already-overstuffed bedtime-book market, this is certainly a niche read, but it hits its mark well, delivering fun without darkness. A "bedtime checklist" at the end aptly includes "story time."This should send Dark Knight fans flying to the Batcave—or the bedroom. (Picture book. 3-8)

PreS-K In this Dark Knight tale for the youngest fans, a plucky boy prepares for bed by fantasizing about bounding in the footsteps of his hero. Donning Batman pajamas, he imagines each of his nightly rituals paralleling the adventures of the Caped Crusader. First he has to clean things up (in the bathroom) just as Batman does (in a dark sewer). He must lock things away (his toys) just as Batman does (the villains). There are those who depend on him (a hungry goldfish) just as there are those who depend on Batman (the citizens of Gotham). The dramatic, brightly saturated illustrations are satisfyingly reminiscent in style of the graphic novels for older Batman devotees. There's plenty of gentle humor, such as a scene of the boy wearing only a black cape and white underpants and facing the toilet with hands on hips and "business to take care of." While children may not buy bedtime as a "great adventure," they are likely to settle down to absorb this fun tale featuring their favorite character. Meanwhile, parents will appreciate the good-humored brevity that leads efficiently to lights out. VERDICT The youngest Batman lovers and their parents will snap this title off library shelves faster than you can say "dynamic duo." Suzanne LaPierre, Fairfax County Public Library, VA