When a home becomes quiet and dark, many young children become fearful and many parents become frustrated with having a child who won't go to sleep at night. In fact, falling to sleep at night can begin near birth. I still remember rocking and singing lullabys to my newborn son to quiet him and watching my husband's fall asleep while I looked into the bright wide-awake eyes of my baby. Happily, there are many children's books which speak to this issue. Some books set a good bedtime mood by offering comfort in tone and setting. Others give another kind of comfort, showing protagonists that also have a hard time sleeping, so that listeners know they are not alone with their problem. For a fearful child, many children's books present protagonists that have either made friends with or conquered things that go bump in the night . Numerous books serve to relax a child to sleep.

IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT The most famous bedtime story of all, Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon, has lulled children to sleep for generations. Adults have wondered for generations why this book is so magical (unless they grew up hearing it, then they know!) It is the story of a little bunny saying goodnight to everything in his room. It sounds dull, but less is more. The pages calm through a gentle sameness of illustration which darkens ever so gradually. A soothing rhythmic text accompanies and quiets a child into slumber. Many children may take the idea to heart and calm themselves by saying goodnight to everything in their rooms. I have heard more family stories of praise for Goodnight Moon than any other book. Ages 0- 3. Available in paperback and hardcover. (HarperCollins, 1947)

b.p. Nichols' Once: A Lullaby has now been illustrated by Anita Lobel. Her fine detailing makes this already lulling goodnight book all the more cozy. In each illustration we see different animals bedding down for the night, each making its own special sound, inviting children to participate. The sleepers' headboards dominate each picture and show the baby watched over or cuddled by loving parents. This is the final clincher in an already, warm comforting environment. There is music to go with this rhythmic book, but for those who can not read it, the words fit perfectly to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Ages newborn to three. Hardcover only. (Greenwillow, 1986)

Another restful good night book for young children is Jane Howard's When I'm Sleepy. Ms. Howard wrote a hypnotic text to relax her "barn owl daughter" to sleep. The text tells of a child who imagines what it would be like to sleep with many animals. Again, a young child will enjoy sharing in the telling by naming the animals. Illustrator Lynne Cherry has added a strong element of natural beauty to the book. Her portrayal of the little girl embraced by beasties increases the warm cuddly feeling of the story. Ages 1-4. Available in hardcover only. (Dutton, 1985)

A mother lulls her tired child to sleep in James Sage's To Sleep by answering questions that about the end of the day. The end of the day is beyond his room, garden, town, countryside, sea, mountains, stars and dreams... but of course by that time the small boy has been calmed to sleep by his mother's poetic explanation. Visualizations by Warwick Hutton actually show the pair bed-traveling beyond the bedroom. Ages 2-5. (McElderry Books, 1990)

Goodnight, Goodnight by Eve Rice tells the story of a small lost cat who watches the world go to sleep. Illustrations begin in black, white and gold until the only golden light is that of the moon. An honest and gradual representation of the way that dark and sleep come to the world. Ages 1- 3. (Greenwillow,; Penguin, )

PREPARING FOR BED Parents who have a difficult time getting their child to sleep know the importance of bedtime rituals. One of the most important factors of the bedtime preparation is setting the environment. There are several children's books that supply the scene for snoozing.

The Sun's Asleep Behind the Hill by Mirra Ginsburg gives voice to the natural world as it prepares for dark and sleep. The sun tires of shining and goes to sleep behind the hill. The sun's repose is followed by that the breeze, the leaves, the bird, the squirrel, and finally the child. Each new bit of text is foreshadowed by the preceding text. This comforting anticipation is echoed in Paul Zelinsky's clever illustrative technique of insets and frames . There is a final bit of reassurance when the moon comes out and promises to shine all night. Ages 2-4. Hardcover only. (Greenwillow, 1982)

Donald Crew's Light establishes daylight, day's end and then depicts a series of night lights. In his simple graphic style, writer-illustrator Crews supports a young listener who fears darkness by focus on how country and city shine in the dark. A final stroke of bolstering occurs on the last page when daylight reappears. An older listener will enjoy comparing the lights of city and country and the few simple words make this an excellent book with which to begin reading. Ages 1- 4. Hardcover only. (Greenwillow,)

In Grandfather Twilight , Barbara Berger creates a night time protagonist who sets a gentle mood for dark. She tells the story of a mystical grandfather who lives among the trees and walks each night with a pearl. The pearl grows with every step until at last, it becomes the moon above the silent sea. Then, this magical man goes home to sleep. Berger's luminous illustrations create a character and story that live. In my house, my children wait, nightly, for Grandfather Twilight to walk. Berger personifies a symbol of last light for a child to take inside them and guard against the fears of dark and at the same time, eases the transition to evening. Ages 1- adult. Available in paperback and hardcover. (Philomel, 1984)

Ten, Nine, Eight is a rhythmic, rhyming count-down-to-bed ritual shared by a father and his little girl. Author/illustrator Molly Bang's beautiful backgrounds and loving cuddles show an affection so strong it sometimes reaches out of the book to the reader and listener. On our favorite page, "three loving kisses on cheeks and nose", we always stop reading and share the intimacy of father and daughter by giving our own kisses. The little girl is asexual enough in portrayal that when I read the book with my son, I changed the last page to "one big boy all ready for bed." There is, as well, plenty of room for counting, finding wordless hidden stories easy first reading. Available in hardcover and paperback. Ages 1-5. (Greenwillow, 1983 ) (Penguin, )

As usual, humor abounds in Sandra Boynton's Good Night, Good Night which tells is rhyming story of ark-bound animals who bathe, dress, brush, exercise, climb into one big bed and "rock and rock and rock to sleep." Everything from the rocking boat to the song in the middle seem to support a gentling into sleep. Rhyme comforts a newborn as well as a new reader. Ages 0-4. Hardcover (Random House, 1985) A very similar book is available in a board book format as the Going to Bed Book (Random House, $3.50)

CONQUERING NIGHT TIME BEASTIES One of the bravest night time protagonists is the little boy in There's a Nightmare in My Closet. (Dial, 1968) He serves as wonderful role model as he takes on the large and lumbering beast who comes out of his closet . And he is another kind of role model when he uses his soft heart to solve the problem by taking the nightmare to bed with him. Author-illustrator Mercer Mayer realized that so many children had been empowered by this book, that he conceived two other brave role models who are also loved by children. There's an Alligator Under My Bed (Dial, 1987)has a male protagonist who lures the under-the-bed alligator into his garage. In There's Something in My Attic, (Dial, 1988) a strong female protagonist lassos the attic monster who plagues her sleep. It's important to see girl children fight monsters in most children's books, one usually sees the boys act as conquerors. Not so in Maggie and the Monster by Elizabeth Winthrop. When a bumbling monster comes into her room, Maggie is angry about having her rest disturbed. It is only when she takes a more female approach, asking about the monster and guiding it to its mother, that her problems are solved. Maggie's mother in the story acts as a support system as well as a foil to the closet-living mama monster. Tomie de Paola lends illustrative strength to an already strong story. Ages 3-6. Available in hardcover and paperback. (Holiday House, 1987)

Sometimes night monsters are not always what they appear to be. A case in point is Sally Grindley's Knock, Knock! Who's There?, illustrated by Anthony Browne. A little girl waiting in bed for her Daddy's tuck-in is visited by a witch, a ghost, a dragon and a giant. Curiously, all these visitors wear the same plaid slippers that her father does. The knock-knock format encourages participation and the ending is reassuring. Again, this is a book to talk about after reading. My older son loves reading and playing the part of the little girl. Ages 3-5. Hardcover only. (Knopf, )

Anna B. Francis' Pleasant Dreams is a near wordless book that begins with two big green monsters coming out of a closet to stare at a child in sleep. We view them from a variety of perspectives until at last we see them from the child's point of view... only to discover that the child is their daughter. Ages 3-6. Available in hardcover only. (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1989 )

Many are the parents that don't listen to their children's night fears. Parents can take a lesson from illustrator-author Diane Goode's I Hear a Noise. In it, a small boy can't sleep because he hears a noise. His mother, instead of listening with him, gives him a string of reassurances. Imagine their surprise when a monster comes in the window and carries them off to his monster-home in the skies. Fortunately, there is a monster-mother who makes her child return these humans and promise "never to touch them again." This is a great read aloud for a parent who likes to do dramatic monster voices. The monster-human parallels are fun. My two year old claims she is scared to death, but wants this book repeated five times in a row at every reading. I have a sense that the comical helps her work out some fears. Again, this is a book to talk about after sharing. Ages 3-6. Hardcover only. (Dutton, 1988 )

In Jeremiah and Mrs. Ming, Mrs. Ming is the kind of care-giver that children love for she listens patiently to his bedtime problems and instead of blaming him, reprimands his books that are reading their stories, his musical toys that are singing their songs, dancing shoes, clinking coins and tea-partying stuffed animals... until at last Jeremiah is sound asleep. (Firefly Books, 1990) Sometimes a child needs something to fight monsters with. In Boris and the Monsters by Elaine Macmann Willoughby, the small boy is afraid to go to bed because he sees monsters everywhere. Only when he has to protect his small watch dog is he able to conquer his fears. Ages 3-6. Available hardcover and paperback. (Houghton Mifflin, )

Monster have fears, too. And one of their worst fears is... you guessed it... HUMANS! At least that's the problem for Robert Crowe's Clyde Monster (Dutton, 1967) and in Jeanne Willis' The Monster Bed. (Lothrop, 1986) While Clyde Monster is satisfied with keeping his cave door open a bit; Dennis, the monster, actually sees a Human. Both are well illustrated, great read-alouds and easy for a child to identify with. Ages 3-6.

I am curious as to why there is so much prejudice about monsters. So is John Troy McQueen in A World Full of Monsters. The speaker knows that a long time ago, monsters were everywhere. Illustrator Marc Brown shows monsters integrated into every phase of life, from the ballet to politics. So if the child hears monster noises in the night, he'll "just say 'Hi, Monster!'" if one comes in his room and then go back to sleep. I wonder why it took so long for someone to think of this very simple solution to monster night fears! Ages 3-6. Hardcover and paperback available. (HarperCollins, 1986)

" I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SLEEP" Sometimes when a small child is suffering with a problem--like not wanting to go to sleep-- it is helpful to view others who are having the same ailment. There is a certain comfort in knowing that you are not alone and very often the book's protagonist gives a new slant on the issue. One of the first books my daughter identified with was Anne Sibley O'Brien's board book, I'm Not Tired. It is the story of whiney toy-throwing Jenny who doesn't want to take a nap. When she finally does nap, Jenny feels "much better" when she awakes. When my daughter was really tired, I would read this story again and substitute her name. (Holt, 1985)

In Sleepers by Dayal Kaur Khalsa, a small girl lists a variety of family members who sleep in a number of different locations. She repeats throughout that she doesn't sleep... until the very end when she counts sheep and finally slumbers. Ages 2-4. Hardcover only. (Clarkson N. Potter, 1988) Ba Ba Sheep Wouldn't Go to Sleep by Dennis Panek tells the story of a small sheep who can't sleep. He stays up all night and then struggles to stay awake the following day. Both words and illustration are simple and go right to the heart of the matter with examples that explain to a child. Ages 2-5. Available in hardcover only. (Orchard,1988)

Kaj Beckman's Lisa Can't Sleep is back in print! This is the story of a small girl who can't sleep because she is missing her sleep friends. She puts every single one into her bed until it is so crowded, there is no room left for Lisa. (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1990)

A similar situation arises in Alice Schertle's Goodnight, Hattie, My Dearie, My Dove as counting Hattie fills her beds with all her much loved sleep mates. The singy chorus made this a night time book my daughter wanted over and over again. When I changed Hattie's name to hers, she repeated the melodic repetition to herself all day long. Ages 3-5. (Lothrop, 1985)

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE DARK One way to make a child comfortable with nighttime is to present books that make it user-friendly. Many books portray dark with a magical quality, either the magic of nature or fantasy.

Step Into the Night by Joanne Ryder is a book of becoming. A young girl steps out into the night and perceives the world through the senses and perspectives of a mouse, firefly, spider, skunk and other night creatures. As the child experiences the lives of nocturnal animals, she becomes a part of the night, enveloped in all of the sights and sounds and smells that surround her. Illustrator Dennis Nolan aids the imagination by combining shadow with color to give an extraordinary sense of the calm and quiet of night. Ages 4-8. Hardcover only. (Macmillan, )

Cynthia Rylant's Night in the Country presents sounds in a natural sequence, just as one might hear them. The more obvious songs of owls and frogs give way to falling apples and rabbits eating the falling apples. In a final twist, Rylant describes the night sounds fading into day. The quiet observers are now the nocturnal animals. This book is filled with the balance and thoughtfulness that characterize Rylant's work. Ages 2-6. Hardcover only. (Bradbury,)

In Alfi and the Dark, by Sally Miles, Alfi can't sleep because he is puzzled about where the dark goes when the light is turned on. Only when he promises the lonely dark that he will be its best friend, is the Dark pleased and reveals its nature. The portrayal of Dark as fearful and then, needing a friend casts it in a new and intriguing role. Ages 3-6. Hardcover only. (Chronicle, )

Another person who can't sleep because of the dark is the man in Douglas Gutierrez and Maria Fernandez Oliver's The Night of the Stars. Again, the personification of night casts it in a better light. The night apologizes for the light hiding behind it, but can do nothing. The man takes matters into his own hands and pokes holes into the sky, creating stars and the moon, thus making the world safe for others who are afraid of the dark. This provides not only a fascinating explanation of the origin of stars, but a way for parents to show their children the natural night-light the night provides. Ages 4-6. Available in hardcover only. (Kane/Miller, 1988)

The little girl in Mark Strand's The Night Book is so afraid of the dark, that she wears a nightgown with lightbulbs on it and has her dog, Sunshine, keep guard at the window for monsters. The owl-like moon wakes her, shows her many marvelous things that can only be seen at night, including the author writing the book. At the end, the girl waits in daylight for the moon to return, dressed in a t-shirt with moons and stars on it. Ages 3-6. (Clarkson N. Potter, )

One of the most fantastical night adventures is Maurice Sendak's In the Night Kitchen . Mickey leaves the comfort of his bed to tumble into the night kitchen and bring milk to bakers (who look surprising like Oliver Hardy). This is an apparently nonsensical book. The sense comes in the lyricism of reading out loud as well as in the carefully designed illustrations. It is a lovely blend of words and noises and dramatic bits. Lately, we've been reading it in three parts, trading roles of narrator, Mickey and the bakers. Ages two to adult. Available in hardcover and paperback. (HarperCollins, 1970)

Just as whimsical is Nancy Willard's The Nightgown of the Sullen Moon. Only the poetic and dreamy Ms. Willard could create the moon as a character who longs for a nightgown of her own. As she satisfies her wish, the moon becomes very real for children who seem attached to her anyway. David McPhail's illustrations add to the fanciful quality. Hardcover and paperback available. (HBJ, 1983)

David McPhail's The Dream Child has a different dream-like quality. The Dream Child is a small girl who flies in a winged boat with her Tame Bear, turning bad dreams into good. Images of word and illustrations are perfectly blended to create reassuring characters and story. Ages 3-6. Available in paperback and hardcover. (Dutton, 1985) Cooper Eden's Caretakers of Wonder is a small book that is large with magic. The caretakers are those who feed the moon and mend clouds and make sure everything is ready for morning. In the end the child becomes an active story-participant by imaging what magic s/he might make if one day these friends tap on the window and invite him/her to become a caretaker of wonder. Ages 3-6. Available in hardcover and paperback (Green Tiger Press,$7.95, $3.95)

SETTING DREAM-MAKING IN MOTION When children are so wound up that sleep seems impossible, one might considering a quiet imagining book to ease them into a dream state.

Jean Marzollo's Close Your Eyes is filled with images that a young child can muse over and a rhythmic presentation that urges relaxation. Susan Jeffer's dream-like illustrations aid the process. They also show the pictured speaker as a father who nurtures his little girl through every step of pre-slumber formalities. Ages 2-4. Available in hardcover and paperback. (Dial, $9.95, $3.95) An older child will appreciate Sweet Dreams for Little Ones, a collection of meditations to help a child learn how to image, build self-esteem and to relax at bedtime. Fantasies are accompanied by massage to aid the relaxation. Ages 4- adult. Available in paperback only. (HarperCollins, 1982)

Poems and Song at Bed The rhythm and rhyme of songs and poems, by their structure alone, make a natural preamble for sleep. There are many poems, collections and illustrated song books that are approachable for a very young child and appeal to an older child as well.

Nancy Larrick's collection , When the Dark Comes Dancing, is a blend of poems and lullabies that are enjoyable to the newborn and may calm a reading parent as well. Larrick precedes her collection with an excellent introduction that is full of helpful hints. Illustrations are vivid and dreamy all at the same time. Ages 0- adult. Available hardcover only. (Philomel, $16.95)

Illustrator Susan Jeffers contributes well to the poetry of bedtime with her magical representations of two bedtime classic; Eugene Field's Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (Dutton, $11.95, $3.95) and All the Pretty Little Horses. (Scholastic, $2.95)

Jimmy Kennedy has done a lovely job of illustrating the classic Teddy Bears' Picnic. The poses and costuming of the bears are appealing to child and adult alike and there is a nice slow down from day to night. For parents unsure of tune and words, the book comes a record sung by Bing Crosby. Ages 0-3. Hardcover only. (Green Tiger Press, $14.95)

I recommend having a fixed story hour every evening. A time with no interruptions in a warm,cozy setting where a child knows that for at least a bit of time they have your undivided attention. As the day grows quiet, and loses its flurry of activity, bedtime is the perfect time to relax and bring the quiet inside you and your relationship with your child.