Children's Book Review: Sleep, Little Child by Marc Hoffman

Published 2010 – 25pp – hardback – Price $17.95

Summary:

As babies grow into little children, there comes a time when they realize that, like themselves, Mommy and Daddy sleep at night, too. Where, then, is the watchful eye to look over them all night? Where are the protective arms to keep them safe when they close their eyes and drift away into dreams? “Sleep, Little Child,” answers these questions with simple verse, soft, gentle music, and compelling illustrations. Written by composer Marc Hoffman and illustrated by Tony Waters, “Sleep, Little Child” is a lullaby with a comforting message: that Someone strong, loving and more powerful than even Mommy and Daddy is right there with every little child, keeping them safe and warm, and greeting them with the morning light.

“Sleep, Little Child” includes a CD of the author singing his original lullaby. Other tracks on the CD feature the instrumental-only version, plus two non-musical readings: one by the author and another by the author’s mother, Barbara “Nana” Hoffman.

My Review:

This is one of my favorite books to read to Savannah at night.  We make it a point to read it to her at least once a week.  You have to see the beautiful illustrations done by Tony Waters to appreciate it for yourself.  What a great message to share with your young child -- that God is watching over them while both their parents and they sleep.  Your child will ask you to read this story to them again and again.  And, as an added bonus, each book comes with a CD that includes Marc Hoffman singing his original lullaby, "Sleep, Little Child."  On long car rides we have brought along this CD, and Savannah has fallen asleep to "Nana" Hoffman reading the story to her.

I just can't say enough about this book.  It was a pleasure reading, and is now a family favorite that will be cherished for years to come.  And, it also makes a nice baby shower gift!

About the Author:

After establishing himself as a composer and performer of film, theatre, pop, and gospel music, Marc Hoffman began pursuing his passion for jazz in the early 1990s. As a pianist and vocalist, Marc performs over 75 dates a year with a repertoire of original jazz and his own arrangements of standards, ballads, and pop. He most often performs with his trio, but works as a soloist and with other ensembles as well, at concerts, festivals, clubs, and other public and private events. Marc’s music has been performed across the US and in the UK and Europe.

Marc Hoffman grew up in Salisbury, NC, received a degree in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and completed additional study in film composition at the University of Southern California. He has studied at The Dartington International Summer School of Music in Devon, England. His composition teachers have included David Ott, Leo Arnaud, Neil Hefti, and Sherwood Shaffer. He is a member of BMI and the American Composer's Forum.  Marc is also founder and artistic director of the Salisbury School of Music.

Marc’s original instrumental recordings include Long Way Home, piano music blending jazz, easy listening and his unique style of composition and performance; and more recently Curioso, a remixed and re-mastered version of a previous CD compilation that features all-original, eclectic jazz with Tim Gordon (Mr. Groove) on sax, Grammy nominee John Sharp on guitar, Terry Peoples and Nathan Scott on bass, and Gray Fallin (The Brubakers), Mike Lanier and Ryan Scott on drums and percussion.

Vocal recordings include Christmas Time, I Will, and Dream of God.

Marc’s recent film work includes the score for "The Mill" for producer Ralph Singleton and director Grainger Hines. Marc was also music director for the film and placed songs from 13 artists from the US and the UK. Previous film credits include Music Historian for the 1985 film, "Revolution."

In August of 2010, Virillion Music Publishing will release Marc’s first children’s book and accompanying CD entitled Sleep, Little Child, based on an original lullaby. Marc's first book and companion DVD, Essential Worship Keyboard was released by Emerald Books in 2007.

Marc Hoffman lives in Salisbury, NC with is wife, Anne and daughter, August.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the author in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.