Don't Worry Bear
Though Caterpillar has told Bear (Thank You Bear, 2007) not to worry, Bear is uneasy after his friend disappears into a cocoon. He feels better when mouse tells him that Caterpillar is sleeping—until Bear finds the cocoon empty. Then a beautiful silk moth lands on Bear’s paw, explaining that he’s the former caterpillar. Every bit as charming as the previous book, this one also features stark illustrations (only the few characters and tree branches against blank pale pastel backgrounds) and spare text. The Bear’s facial expressions and body language convey the message, making any lengthy clarification unnecessary. In addition to being a comforting, uncomplicated tale about friendship, this enjoyable story can also serve as an early introduction to metamorphosis and spark a discussion on human emotion. Preschool. --Randall Enos