This gentle rhyming tale about being sick and taking care of friends is sure to cheer up even the sniffliest of small patients. It’s a beautiful autumn day, but Bear is feeling sick and cannot play with his friends. Instead of leaving him to recuperate alone, they tenderly try to make him feel better. Hare snuggles a blanket around him and mouse gives him a hug, while badger gets some water so that gopher can cook some broth and mole can put a cool cloth on his forehead. When this does not cure him, the birds fly off to get some leaves for tea, but Bear “still feels sick.” Lullabies finally coax him off to sleep, and when he awakens, all their efforts have paid off. Unfortunately, now his friends are feeling sick, and bear unflinchingly takes up the mantle of caregiver. Chapman’s acrylic illustrations are as delightful as ever, depicting an adorable cast of forest animals in warm earth tones. The friends’ love for one another is more than evident from their facial expressions and tender actions. This is a sure soother for anyone home sick in bed. (Picture book. 3-7)
