FEEL BETTER, ERNEST!

Ernest (a bear who plays a fatherly role) and Celestine (a mouse, or daughter) have been loving companions in several favorite books. Now it's Celestine's turn to care for Ernest when he comes down with an unnamed illness for which the doctor prescribes ""a bland diet, tea, and stay in bed."" Celestine copes splendidly, providing camomile tea in place of Ernest's beloved coffee, a whole series of childlike entertainments when he is bored, sensible orders, and a candlelight supper (only four broken dishes!) when he recovers enough to get back to the kitchen. With deftly agile line washed with softly muted tones, Vincent conveys the comfortably untidy home, the humor of the situation, and the warmth of her characters' affection. One of the best of the recent spate of role-reversal stories.