Sleep Tight, Little Bear with DVD
PreSchool-K–Little Bear's many fans will be happy to see this charming new title. When the cub finds a small cave, it seems just the right size for him. He sets up house there, with Big Bear's reassuring presence nearby. At bedtime, he asks to sleep alone in his new home, and Big Bear agrees. Then, Big Bear plodded all the way back to the Bear Cave alone, without Little Bear. The accompanying illustration demonstrates how much Firth's work adds to this simply written and graceful story. Big Bear is seen from behind, walking away, holding a lantern; he's a beacon of light and safety as a soft darkness falls over the forests and mountains. The artist's compositions add a subtle kind of originality, and the soft colors and artful lines add appeal, character, and atmosphere. Preschoolers respond to stories about the tension between independence and protection. While this one does not break new ground, it is a stellar example of its kind.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, ILCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.