LITTLE BEAR AND THE WISHING TREE

A British import, this gentle but didactic story offers a lesson about sharing, caring and the watchfulness of moms. Bertie Bear does not want to share his car with Baby Bear. “It’s mine. And, he’ll break it,” he tells his mother, and dashes outside to his favorite tree, vowing to stay there all night. He gets hungry, but pancakes appear. He gets cold, but a blanket turns up. It gets dark, but somehow there’s a lantern. Alert children will notice among the softly dappled and pastel-toned illustrations that Mommy Bear has been making sure that Bertie has all he needs while sulking in his tree. Finally, of course, Bertie wants to tell his mother and sibling about his “pancake-blanket-lantern tree,” so he comes back inside to a big hug and a knowing smile from Mommy Bear. Pretty insubstantial, but definitely pretty. (Picture book. 3-6)