Little Bear's Valentine (Maurice Sendak's Little Bear)
PreSchool-Grade 2-This story is based on a television series, which in turn was based upon a series of books written by Minarik and illustrated by Sendak. The author has lost none of her ability to gently capture a child's point of view. Little Bear receives a valentine from his secret admirer, and, wondering who it is, he visits all of his friends to deliver valentines and ask their opinions. Readers get to join in the secret, however, as Mother Bear hovers in the background, whispering with each friend as her son leaves. The warm and cozy ending is just right, as all of Little Bear's friends and his secret admirer gather for Valentine cookies. Green's watercolor illustrations employ a soft palette and gentle lines that mediate between Sendak's sketchier style in the original books and the bolder tones of the television series. This is a pitch-perfect picture book with timeless appeal, and a rare example of what can happen when marketing of a classic series is handled with care and respect for the children to whom the books are intended.Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, ColumbiaCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.