SAILOR BEAR

With unerring simplicity and grace, the prolific Waddell fashions yet another Distinctive tale for the very young. The little bear is lost, but he knows what to do: since he's wearing a sailor suit, he'll go to sea. The boats look too big, so he finds himself a piece of a barrel; the sea is enormous, so he scouts out a peaceful stream, but even that grows unexpectedly rough and he capsizes. Wondering what to do next but still unperturbed, he's spotted by a little girl who takes him home. Now he's ``found,'' and again he knows what to do: ``he cuddled up...and he stayed.'' The self-reliance and childlike logic of this gentle toy character are truly appealing. Austin's understated rough pencil sketches, enhanced with watercolor, strike just the right note, depicting a storybook world broad enough for an imaginary adventure and cozy enough to come home to. A charming choice for lap or group. (Picture book. 2-6)