BEAR AT HOME

Having taken readers through all kinds of weather (Bear in Sunshine, not reviewed) and the days of the week (Bear About Town, not reviewed), Bear takes readers on a guided tour of his home. As Bear moves through his house he visits his “kitchen, all clean and neat,” his “dining room, where Bear likes to eat,” and finally his “bedroom, where Bear says goodnight.” Following the short story is a two-page spread devoted to a drawing of a floor plan of Bear’s house. Filled with illustrations using paint, pen and ink, and crayon, knock-’em-dead contrasting colors accompany the text, adding a breathtaking visual appeal to a simple story. Each page also features at least one black-and-white image, including Bear’s striped cat, playful bumblebees, and Bear’s nightcap. Large, dark type highlights the easy rhyming text, making it pop out from the busy illustrations. Young readers will beg for more about this big, friendly bear as he goes about his daily life. Toddlers may actually sit still for this one. (Picture book. 2-5)