THE THREE BEARS RHYME BOOK

A collection of poems portrays three familiar bears and their friend Goldie engaged in such activities as taking a walk, eating porridge, and having a birthday party

PreSchool-Grade 4 The 16 poems offered here as sume that Goldilocks and the three bears maintain a close friendship in spite of their initial encounter, which is not mentioned. The verses describe familiar activities such as taking a walk, eating porridge, having a birthday party, and going out in the rain. Some of the poems explore, in a reassuring way, common feelings: getting mad, being afraid of nighttime monsters, feeling too old to take a nap. The narra tor's voice varies from poem to poem, with the little bear's point of view most often represented. Although these changes are jarring, the majority of the verses will appeal to children. The illustra tions are executed in bright watercolor and pencil; flaxen-haired Goldie and her three elaborately-clothed friends often look as if they belong on a greeting card. The pages, with their elaborate back grounds and varied framing devices, rein force the book's sweet look. America is captivated with everything related to bears, and this volume capitalizes on that interest; libraries can better serve children with additional copies of the most popular verisons of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and forget purchasing this nones sential item. Ellen Fader, Westport Pub lic Library, Conn. Grades 3-6
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The wonderfully paired team of Yolen and Dyer (Piggins) has created another winner with this collection of 15 rhymed poems narrated by the smallest bear of the familiar three bears story. This insouciant, bright-eyed cub tells about the things that interest himbirthdays, flowers, rain or what happens "When a Bear Gets Mad." The designs of Dyer's vivid pages are exceptionally clever, and the illustrations are a snug match for Yolen's lilting text. Dressed in red pajamas, the irresistible cub settles on his mother's lap while outside his window a winged dragon, a castle and pirate ship move dreamily across a starry sky. "Read to me riddles/ and read to me rhymes,/ read to me stories/ of magical times," he says, and "when you are finishedplease read them again!" Children will say the same. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.