THE BEAR WHO HAD NO PLACE TO GO

Poor Ralph is a picture of bearish pooh-plexity as he sets off in his bicycle in search of a new home after being fired by the circus. A hitchhiker, Frank the rat, invites him to live in the woods (""said Ralph, 'What's the woods?' "") and all is happy again until Ralph learns that his new friends Herb and Paul bear plan to sleep all winter. The animals hold a Big Woods Circus to convince Ralph to stay around and try the rural custom of hibernation -- which he does -- settling down happily in his baggy striped pajamas for a peaceful winter's snooze. The gentle gray-washed sketches make this simple parable of acceptance work, and Ralph's own endearing modesty should win him a home.