In the two bears' third appearance, George is trying to put little Bartholomew to bed, only to get a determined ``Nah!'' (``Ba's'' only word here) to each suggestion, query, or command. Even after George's ``big voice'' elicits compliance, Ba giggles and wriggles before he finally hugs and snuggles and falls asleep, breathing a last, soft ``Nah.'' Though limned in rougher, more schematic lines than Firth's, these bears are close cousins to Waddell's (Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, 1992), reenacting with precision and charm another variation of the classic ritual. The simple, totally authentic dialogue and cozily expressive art are just right for two-year-olds like Ba. (Picture book. 1-3)
