Bedtime, Lullabies & Gentle Stories
A Lullaby for a Black Mother
By Langston Hughes, Illustrated by Sean Qualls
“Lullaby (for a Black Mother)" is a beloved poem by Langston Hughes that serves as a poetic and tender celebration of the universal love and deep bond between an African American mother and her baby.
A Tanzanian Lullaby
By Patricia Maclachlan, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
Lala Salama: A Tanzanian Lullaby is a 2011 children's picture book by Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon, that follows a day in the life of a family in Tanzania, inspired by MacLachlan's visit to her son's family. The book uses the Swahili phrase "lala salama" (sleep peacefully) as a refrain, depicting the serene, everyday activities of a mother and baby by Lake Tanganyika as the father fishes, creating a gentle, poetic story about family, culture, and the transition from day to night.
Sugar Pie Lullaby: The Soul of Motown in a Song of Love
By Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud
Sugar Pie Lullaby: The Soul of Motown in a Song of Love (2023), written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Sawyer Cloud, is a 40-page hardcover picture book designed as a musical bedtime story for children aged 4–8. It features rhythmic, soul-inspired prose referencing Motown hits, accompanied by illustrations of Black families, creating a loving, cozy, and nostalgic bedtime routine.
