Where's My Teddy? And Other Stories

This book is a compilation of three enjoyable rhyming stories for young children. Where's My Teddy is a hilarious, not-very-scary adventure fantasy about young Eddie, who meets a gigantic bear in the woods. They have each lost their teddy bears (one small, one huge), and find each other's. When they see one other, each snatches his own teddy in consternation, and they pelt homeward. In It's the Bear, Eddie's mom suggests a woodland picnic, but Eddie is afraid to go. Mom, not believing him about the bear, leaves him with the picnic while she goes to fetch the blueberry pie. In her absence the giant bear discovers the picnic. While Eddie hides in the basket, the bear devours the picnic and has just discovered Eddie when Mom returns with the pie. Mom and Eddie run, while the bear enjoys the pie. Finally, in My Friend Bear Eddie wanders lonely in the same woods, wishing his teddy could talk to him. He finds the bear's giant teddy and, hearing the bear approaching, hides behind it. The bear wishes aloud that his teddy could talk, Eddie introduces himself, and the two become friends. The stories are told in rhyming verse whose rhythmic cadence will please the youngest listeners, while the humor and drama will appeal to slightly older readers. They are pleasingly illustrated in watercolor, crayon, and pencil. While this book will never win a poetry award, it's a sure winner for any child who will enjoy the slightly scary but ultimately comforting idea of making friends with a cartoon bear.