Bug Bear

Toddler-PreS—"Down in the forest,/Bear started to doze./When a small stripy bug/came and sat on his nose." As the annoying bug zips around, insisting that Bear's fur is the best place for him, Bear grows irritable. He pleads, stomps, and swats and even suggests that other forest animals, who look hilariously aghast, might make better companions. When Owl introduces his furry friend Sloth, all ends happily. The cheerful red bug is adorable, and children can trace his path on most pages. Orange leaves here and there, along with Bear's desire to rest, suggest that the setting is autumn, but there are also images of green grass and small yellow flowers, making the book's enjoyment appropriate any time of year. With sizable images in lively watercolors combined with a concise rhyming text, this is a good choice for toddler and preschool storytimes.