WHITE BEAR, ICE BEAR

A second-person narrative suggests that ""you"" (a lively boy who looks about eight years old) are inspired by the snow outside your window to become an ""ice bear,"" and are transported to appropriate surroundings where you experience typical polar bear activities (including hunting, but not catching or eating, a seal). The evocative paintings that extend the brief text are attractive, with rich shades of blue predominating, enlivened with dramatic highlights of white and gold. But the whole approach is coy and off-putting, especially in comparison with Matthews' straightforward, more informative, enchantingly photographed Polar Bear Cubs (above).