The Bear's Song (Little Bear and Papa Bear)

K-Gr 2—In this engaging, oversize picture book, Papa Bear is just settling down for winter when he realizes that Little Bear has run off. The cub is chasing a bee, first through the forest and then through a French metropolis. Papa Bear searches everywhere, finally catching sight of his son on the steps of the Opera House. But inside, now where did he go? Young readers will enjoy figuring out the answer as they search page by page for Little Bear and the bee. Each large spread features a scene filled with dozens of figures, many of which serve as decoys for Little Bear. What makes the watercolor and line illustrations even more fun are the humorous details, such as the two woodcutters who have scurried up a tree as Papa Bear runs past them in the forest. With its rich colors, heavy paper, and cosmopolitan locale, this is more than a seek-and-find book, and the story has a very sweet ending involving honey and Papa Bear's song. A pleasing choice for kids who just can't get enough Waldo, and even those who can.—Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

In the Buster Keatonesque climax of this glorious romp from Chaud (Pomelo's Opposites), Papa Bear takes a dive through some opera house scenery and lands in a crystal chandelier onstage, dangling above two very surprised singers. How did he get there? His son, Little Bear, has spent the book chasing a single bee in hopes of finding honey. Papa Bear, in turn, has been chasing Little Bear through one spread to the next, from their native forest (where Papa Bear's presence starts an animal stampede) into the bustling streets of a French city (where almost no one notices him) and into the opera house. Though the song Papa Bear roars to the startled audience doesn't go over well ("Wait a minute. Where is everyone going?"), he finds Baby Bear at last--and some honey, too. The hide-and-seek quality of the oversize spreads contributes much of the story's fun--alert searchers can always find the bears and bee, but the riot of French life that surrounds them is just as entertaining. Closely and affectionately observed, Chaud's tale bursts with joie de vivre. Bis! Ages 3-5. (Oct.)