Barbara Baker?s big, boisterous family of bears is back in a new easy-to-read book about a special evening. The busy Saturday has made the two big bears and the four children tired. Or maybe not. In six chapters?one for each family member?they have quite a time of it as everyone gets ready for bed. Warm, simple text and cozy pictures show how much fun it is to be yourself and be part of a big family.
The best easy reader since Dr. Seuss. Each mini-chapter (chapterette; there: I've just coined it) is self-contained but ties in to the whole. Wonderfully simple (i.e. age appropriate) word choice. Cute illustrations. Apparently SLJ named it a "Best [children's] book of the year" for 2007 and I'd have to concur. How could I have missed this? I'm keeping my eye on this author.