Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales

This program follows a simple formula for success: great kids, plus great performers, plus great stories, plus great animation equals a Peabody Award. Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales is a family special that focuses on the magical, mysterious world of slumber, as described in a series of animated segments and live-action interviews with a variety of young children. The centerpiece of the special is the first television adaptation of Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved children’s book Goodnight Moon, illustrated by Clement Hurd, which was recently reissued in a special golden anniversary edition. HBO’s adaptation of Goodnight Moon demonstrates how faithfully and lovingly a children’s classic can be crafted for the television screen. In addition to Goodnight Moon, the special features first-time adaptations of two other well-known children’s books: Mercer Mayer’s There’s a Nightmare in My Closet and Faith Ringgold’s Tar Beach, as well as renditions of timeless lullabies, including “Hush, Little Baby,” “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Brahms’ Lullaby.” The animated and musical segments are off-set by superb vignettes with young children, who offer spontaneous and often uproarious explanations of the mysteries and meanings of dreams and nightmares. The brilliance of this thoroughly entertaining production flows from its superb production team led by producer and director Amy Schatz, senior producer Carole Rosen, coordinating producer Lynn Sadofsky and associate producers Beth Levison and Erica Heilman, all under the inspired leadership of executive producer Sheila Nevins. For reminding us that programming for and about children can bring joy to all viewers, a Peabody Award to Home Box Office for Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepytime Tales.