Moss perfectly captures the hustle and bustle of the daily mad dash to school and work in all its frenzied glory. While Mama urges Billy on, the young bear cub dawdles his way through the morning routine, blaming his beloved stuffed bunny for his delay. As a result of all the lollygagging, Billy and his mom are late. In her haste at preschool drop-off, Mama forgets to tell Billy she loves him and to give his bunny to him. Bereft of these necessary creature comforts, Billy is inconsolable until Mama returns with Rabbit and a hearty dose of loving. Currey depicts images instantly recognizable to young readers; homey kitchen scenes and the wild disarray of Billy’s bedroom are familiar landmarks. The soft hues of the illustrations coupled with the expressive drawings of the cub and parent offer a comforting foil to the heightened emotions of the text. Moss’s non-judgmental tone and happy resolution diffuse the tensions of a commonplace scenario and makes this the ideal tale to share after the hectic whirl of a busy day. (Picture book. 2-5)
