Where Teddy Bears Come From
PreSchool-Grade 2–This charming story plays with the conventions of familiar nursery tales. When a glass of milk, a cuddle, and his favorite story don't help a little wolf fall asleep, he determines that what he needs is a teddy bear. Unfortunately his mother doesn't know where to get one and serenely sends him off with a picnic lunch to find out. He asks Wise Owl, who sends him off to ask the Three (not-so-little) Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood. After dealing with their issues about Big Bad Wolves, the little wolf is on his way to Goldilocks, hoping she will know the answer when he bumps into a chubby old man with a flat tire. So he HUFFS and he PUFFS and fixes the tire. As a thank you, the bearded man promises him an answer to his question in the morning–and a teddy bear is delivered. With its lively, bold watercolors filled with humorous details, this tale is likely to be a storytime hit well beyond the Christmas season.–Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public LibraryEND