From: Beth Wright <Beth>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 14:13:37 +0000

My favorite storytime book this year, hands down, was Bernard Waber's
_Bearsie Bear and the Surprise Sleepover Party_. One dark and snowy night, a succession of cold animals show up at Bearsie Bear's door, request entrance, and are permitted to jump into his large (big enough for Cowsie Cow, Moosie Moose, and others) bed. Until Porky Porcupine arrives...I know, I know, if you haven't seen the book, all these cutsie cute names sound insipid, but the artwork makes all the difference. The animals are goofy, not cutsie, and the expressions on their faces when Porky jumps in are priceless. The review journal in which I first saw _Bearsie Bear_ mentioned had the good sense to publish the drawing of Porky mid-jump, so I had a sense of the illustrations before I ordered the book. Plus Waber has introduced some funny asides to the cumulative rhythm of the story that will keep adults required to read it over and over again from going beserk. When I read it at preschool storytime, even the wiggliest kids were still and even the talk-amongst-themselves parents were listening and laughing along with the story. Best reccomendation I can give.

Beth Wright Children's Librarian Edythe Dyer Community Library Hampden, Maine
Received on Mon 15 Dec 1997 08:13:37 AM CST