Let's be clear from the start: this isn't a book with a plot in the traditional sense. Selected Lullabies is exactly what it says on the tin—a curated selection of Eugene Field's most beloved poems written to soothe children (and the child in all of us) to sleep. You'll meet Wynken, Blynken, and Nod sailing off in their wooden shoe, hear about the sugar-plum tree, and get to know a cast of sleepy little characters and fantastical nighttime scenes.

Why You Should Read It

I picked this up on a whim, and it completely disarmed me. In our busy, screen-filled lives, these poems are a quiet rebellion. They're not trying to be clever or deep in a complicated way. Their power is in their simplicity and their heart. Field had this incredible gift for seeing the world through a child's eyes—the wonder, the small fears, the absolute trust in a parent's voice. Reading them aloud (which I highly recommend) feels like a ritual. It slowed my breathing down. It made me nostalgic, not just for my own childhood, but for a slower, more gentle pace of life.

Final Verdict

This book is a hidden gem for parents looking for bedtime stories beyond the usual shelf, for anyone who loves classic poetry that's accessible and heartfelt, and especially for those needing a little literary comfort food. It's a short, sweet read that feels like a warm blanket and a cup of chamomile tea. Keep it by your bedside for those nights when you need to quiet your own mind before you can quiet anyone else's.