A primer with a soothing quality, the story of Mother Bear and Little Bear is told with repetition of simple words for fledgling first-grade readers. The gently teasing way in which Mother Bear cajoles Little Bear, and Little Bear's methods of winning Mother Bear's attention and approval make a tender little tale just right for eager but inexperienced readers. Maurice Sendak's illustrations of Mother Bear's matronly dignity in coping with her little bear as he decides what to wear, as he makes vegetable birthday soup for fear she'll forget to bake him a cake, and as he makes a brief excursion to the moon, are pleasantly old-fashioned in brown, black and blue. A cuddly story which could be also be a boon to baby sitters at bedtime.
