A BABYSITTER FOR BILLY BEAR

Moss’s latest is a sweetly reassuring tale about Billy Bear’s first time with a babysitter: Mama’s friend Lucy is going to look after Billy while Mama goes to pottery class. While Mama gets Billy ready for bed, the two talk about what to expect. Billy projects his feelings onto his lovey, Rabbit. Of course Billy remembered that Mama was going out, but Rabbit forgot. And the something that is bothering Rabbit? She wants to go to class with Mama. Mama deftly handles all Billy’s concerns then turns his care over to Lucy. Lucy calmly allays more of his fears, deals with a naughty Rabbit who won’t let Billy sleep and assures the young bear that his Mama will get home safely. The text delivers some nice turns of phrase—“Billy peered...into the corner of his room where all the dark collected”—while Currey’s watercolors masterfully portray Billy’s range of emotions: anxiety, fear, sadness and reassurance. The appeal of the tale is in its simplicity; there is much that is universal in Billy’s story. (Picture book. 3-5)