Goodbye House (Moonbear Books)
PreS Baby Bear and his family are moving; just as the van is about to leave, Baby Bear says that he has forgotten something and goes back inside. When his parents join him, they share memories, and things look just as they were when the house was furnished. Gradually, the memory pictures fade, and the rooms are bare again. Papa Bear carries Baby Bear into each room, and they say goodbye together. Asch's newest title doesn't measure up to his others. The bright illustrations are typical of his work, but they lack the life and humor such books as Sand Cake and Popcorn (both Parent's Magazine Pr, 1979). The sentimentalized visualization of memory isn't child-like. The message (that it's important to finalize a relationship by resolving it with a goodbye) is a good one, but here there is no joy in going on to a new houseor experience. There is no mention of where they are goingor whyand the book is disconcertingly unreassuring.Lauralyn Persson, Pawtucket Public Library, R.I.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.