YOU AND ME, LITTLE BEAR

Waddell and Firth (Let's Go Home, Little Bear, 1993, etc.) have come up with another winning foray into the lives of the lovable Big Bear and Little Bear. This time the focus is on a day when Little Bear wants to play, but Big Bear has a long list of chores. Active Little Bear helps a bit, then plays all the solo games he can think of while Big Bear finishes the work. That accomplished, Big Bear comes out to sit on his rock, close his eyes and think, cogitating his way into sleep. When Little Bear awakens him, however, Big Bear finds the energy to play hide-and-seek and bear games until sundown, when Little Bear has had enough. He is ready for home and supper, where he seasons his meal with happy memories of the two of them ``just playing . . . together.'' The bears, once again the quintessence of charm, remain the smiling teddy bears so many readers have scooped up with open arms; the day may gently remind parents to make time to play, a message sufficiently softened, to be heard with the heart. (Picture book. 3-6)