BIG BLACK BEAR
by Wong Herbert Yee & illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee
Out of the woods he comes, to knock on a door and beg, ``Give me some FOOD and a Big Soft Chair!'' The little girl lets him in, only to discover that he's ``a BIG BAD BEAR with no MANNERS at all!'' Muddy footprints, an upended piano, and a shower of the jellybeans he's greedily munching are just the beginning: ``I'm a BIG BLACK BEAR, and I do as I please!'' Fortunately, a much bigger bear turns up to set things straight and exact an apology (``PLEASE excuse me. I'm a Little Black Bear/who just turned three''), and all ends with a friendly snack. Big little three-year-olds may not recognize themselves here as quickly as their parents do, but they'll love the funny, rhythmic verse and bold, collage-style illustrations—plus the deft visual transition from big and brash to appealingly small and meek. (Picture book. 1-5)