DON'T WASH WINSTON

Sometimes being a good friend means making scary choices.

Young Liam and his beloved teddy bear, Winston, love playing together. They take care of each other and lean on one other when times get tough. Their favorite activity is making mud pies, which naturally involves a robust helping of dirt and water. It’s all fun and games until Winston takes “a terrible tumble.” Flipping “toes over nose,” he lands with a tremendous FLOP in the middle of the mud. Winston is a mess, and a messy bear means a trip to the washing machine. Liam has feelings about this (he creates a drawing labeled “box + Winston + water = no way”) and attempts several creative evasion techniques, culminating in Liam taking a muddy spill of his own. After a satisfying bath, Liam realizes that Winston also needs to get clean. Liam takes a deep breath and promises Winston that he’ll stay close. Winston is finally cleaned, and the two are cozily reunited. Liam’s dad is patient and empathetic (if a little understandably annoyed with his shenanigans). Photos and drawings on the wall suggest that theirs is a single-parent household—a subtle and welcome reminder that there are many examples of loving families. Effervescent illustrations convey energy and emotion and have a palpably cuddly appeal. Liam and his father are brown-skinned.

A wonderful choice for any youngster who’s ever known the love of a stuffed best friend (scary appliance notwithstanding).