A KISS FOR LITTLE BEAR
by Else Holmelund Minarik & illustrated by Maurice Sendak
A little Little Bear book with very little of Little Bear and with illustrations shadowed by the ominous overtones of Higglety Pigglety Pop. The story is a single brief episode: Grandmother asks Hen to take a kiss to Little Bear in thanks for the (monster) picture he has sent; Hen, distracted, passes the kiss on to Frog, who passes it on to Cat, who passes it on to Little Skunk, who gives it to a pretty girl skunk, who gives it back. . . starting an exchange of kisses that has nothing to do with Little Bear but which he watches fixedly from behind a fence. Then Hen puts a stop to "too much kissing," retrieves the kiss, delivers it to Little Bear, and refuses to take one in return. The skunks decide to get married; everyone comes; Little Bear, as best man, kisses the bride (while the groom scowls). Well. While ruminating, we scanned the quotes re earlier books on the back flap: "reassuring. . . family tenderness. . . atmosphere of love. . . charming childlikeness of Little Bear's delights." Hardly, albeit a droll vignette; have a look.