Betty White does a command performance of bedtime bestseller “Goodnight Moon”

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There was plenty of howling in the audience at an event in downtown L.A. today, but a few details suggested that it wasn’t exactly a rock concert -- unless concertgoers have started breastfeeding or wearing pink tutus.

Audience restrictions -- 5 months to 12 years old, heavy on the 2-year-olds, and bring your own parent -- kept things hopping at the California Science Center, where it was sleepy time, even though the California sun was shining brightly outside.

Dozens of children of all ages were there to hear ‘It Girl’ Betty White perform one of bedtime’s greatest hits, ‘Goodnight Moon,’ which she read along with an original story by a Virginia grandma submitted to the SleepBetter.org website.

The site, hosted by Carpenter Co., which makes pillows and other ‘comfort cushioning’ products, offers tips on getting a good night’s sleep. The event was organized to promote its Bedtime Stories Project, which encourages parents to say goodnight with a classic or original tale.

Under the circumstances, the Ministry thought it was the public’s right to know exactly whom White is sleeping with.

‘My golden retriever, Pontiac.’

Ah, another sucker for a furry face. Not surprisingly, after her recent stint hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ and her hilarious Snickers Super Bowl commercial, White has been besieged with offers.

‘I’m just thrilled because it makes more people aware of the Los Angeles Zoo and the Morris Animal Foundation,’ she said. ‘But you can’t cover all the bases. I know everybody thinks, ‘Is she ever going to go away?’ But they keep asking. We just started filming a new series, ‘Hot in Cleveland,’ with Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick. I think it’s going to be a fun show.’

So no time for ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ even though host Tom Bergeron said this week that the 88-year-old star’s appearance was a non-starter because ‘I would worry about her too much.’

White had already turned them down anyway. ‘I said, ‘Thank you, but I think Cloris Leachman took care of that already.’ ‘

Any advice for other aspiring It Girls In the News like, say, Lindsay Lohan?

‘Yeah, shape up. Have all the fun you want, but respect your profession.’

And try getting a good night’s sleep.

-- Irene Lacher

Top photo: Betty White says goodnight, not just to the moon, but to socks and clocks too. Credit: Joe Mahoney / SleepBetter.org