Lulee Lullaby
Written and Illustrated by Olga Pastuchiv
"Fanciful twists on traditional Ukrainian characters bring playfulness to an unconventional bedtime tale. . . . [A] quirky cast of characters descend[s] to whisk the child on an imaginative nighttime adventure. . . . Delicately blended colored-pencil illustrations in a soft palette of blues, honeyed yellows, and poppy red feature relaxed lines and shifting proportions reminiscent of Chris Raschka's work, with traditional cultural design elements featured throughout. Single-page artwork keeps this tale action-forward, while spare, rhyming text in white bands at page bottom suits the story’s frolicsome feel and obvious bedtime sensibilities. A striking mix of tradition and whimsical modernity." —Kirkus Reviews
"Pastuchiv’s unique wind-down work remixes motifs from Ukrainian lullabies to surrealistic effect. Mistily rubbed multimedia artwork . . . incorporates colored pencils, acrylic watercolors, stencil, and stamp techniques. . . . Dotted with brightening elements, including fireflies, sunflowers, and an expressive moon, it’s a meandering bedtime book with nonsense verse cadences." —Publishers Weekly
"Pastuchiv populates her illustrations with characters and imagery common to Ukrainian lullabies, such as sunflowers, boot-wearing birds, and tidying cats. Rhyming, lilting text dances around watercolor and pencil illustrations that create a dreamy landscape. . . . A soothing but playful story that readers will ask for before their own bedtimes. A recommended purchase for collections serving young listeners and their caregivers." —School Library Journal
"What do babies think about in the quiet period before sleep? Pastuchiv’s blend of Ukrainian lullabies may have the answer. . . . The dreamy, soft-hued illustrations [and] gently rhyming text with vibrant art just may be the ticket to dreamland." —Booklist