As night falls on a farm, baby animals get ready to sleep. Working up to 10, Walters (An African Alphabet) counts them in soft prose that uses an array of soporific synonyms to get readers in the mood for settling down: -Seven kittens nestle into their basket. Eight chicks cuddle close in their nest.- Bisaillon (The Snow Knows) uses pencils, watercolors, pastels, and other media to create lovely, gently textured collages. The closely clustered animals aren-t always the easiest to count, perhaps, but it hardly matters: the images exude an almost palpable sense of security and comfort. Up to age 3. Author-s agent: Marie Campbell, Transatlantic Literary. Illustrator-s agency: Morgan Gaynin. (Sept.)

Baby-ToddlerThis gentle, soothing counting book is just the ticket for lulling babies to slumber. As one moon rises, two stars come out, three owlets rest high in the treetops, and four fawns settle in the soft grasses. The count continues and includes fox cubs, puppies, kittens, chicks, bunnies, and ducklings. The last spread depicts a smiling baby tucked snugly in bed, with its eyes shut tight. The lovely mixed-media artwork, done in rich earth tones, is textured and expressive. This is the stuff of sweet dreams!